MIAMI -- One of two men who robbed a Brink's armored car outside a Space Coast CU branch in January was sentenced to 10 years in prison this afternoon, but refused to tell authorities where the stolen $280,000 is hidden.
Christopher Ferguson, 40, admitted he participated in the Jan. 17 robbery in nearby Sunrise, but maintains he was only the getaway car driver for the two masked men captured on surveillance video. Federal authorities, though, believe Ferguson was one of the masked men. The other robber is still at large.
Ferguson has refused to tell authorities what happened to the money or name his alleged accomplices because he fears for his family's safety, according to his lawyer.
Ferguson will retain one keepsake from the robbery, a limp from being shot in the left leg during a shoot-out with the armored car’s courier during the heist. Ferguson was the only one injured in the shoot-out.
Ferguson was identified by blood samples retrieved from a stolen getaway car used by the two suspects. Law enforcement swabbed the blood and submitted the unknown DNA to the FBI laboratory and identified it as belonging to Ferguson.
The two gunmen assaulted the Brink’s car as it arrived at the credit union early in the morning on Jan. 17. As the courier exited the car and approached the front door of the credit union, two masked subjects came out of a stolen Honda that was parked at the branch.
Both subjects ran toward the courier, one of whom was pointing a handgun at the guard. One robber ordered the courier to the ground and the courier put his hands up and layed down on the ground. One robber tried unsuccessfully to take the courier’s firearm while the other grabbed a bag belonging to Brink’s and destined for delivery to the credit union, which contained approximately $280,000. Moments later, both subjects ran back to the stolen Honda.
The entire robbery was recorded on the credit union's surveillance video.
The Brink’s driver and the courier who had just been robbed fired multiple shots at the robbers and the getaway car as bandits fled the scene. Numerous rounds struck and penetrated the car while it was leaving the parking lot.
