Two men who previously faced charges in state court after a string of armed robberies at Omaha businesses and hotels last July are now facing federal charges.
Keith Hill, 29, and Wayne Rolling, 30, both of Omaha, were named last week in a 14-count federal grand jury indictment alleging robbery, attempted robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. They are accused of receiving at least $12,000 from seven businesses during a two-week spree of armed robberies.
If convicted, they both face up to life in prison.
The two were initially charged last year in state court with multiple counts of robbery and use of a firearm to commit a felony. Because federal prosecutors say the robberies violated the Hobbs Act, a federal law that prohibits robberies that affect interstate commerce, the state court cases have been dismissed and the case will proceed at the federal level.
Hill and Rolling are accused of eight armed robberies and attempted robberies in July 2023: July 15 at NP Mart at 4219 N. 60th St.; July 25 at La Quinta Inn at 3330 N. 104th Ave.; July 25 at NP Mart at 5608 Ames Ave.; July 26 at Family Dollar at 2930 Sprague St.; July 26 at Family Dollar at 3601 N. 16th St.; July 28 at the Comfort Inn at 10503 Bedford Ave.; and July 28 at Scooter’s Coffee at 4040 N. 72nd St.
They allegedly received more than $12,000 from the robberies, the vast majority of which came from the two NP Mart locations. The only business that did not turn over any money was the La Quinta Inn.
Rolling was on federal supervised release at the time of the alleged robberies after a 2018 conviction for three bank robberies. He spent about five years in federal prison and was released in August 2022.
Both men also are convicted felons for previous robbery and burglary convictions in state court, and they face additional penalties for possessing a firearm as a felon.
