His holiday season robbery spree hit U.S. Bank, Rite Aid. A 19-year prison sentence awaits

A man was sentenced to 19 years in prison after a Sacramento County jury convicted him of robbery and attempted robbery in a string of incidents at U.S. Bank branches and a Rite Aid.

Cortney Thurman first robbed a U.S. Bank in downtown Sacramento on Dec. 24, 2020, according to a news release issued Friday by prosecutors. On Dec. 28, he attempted to rob another branch inside a Safeway.

The next day, Thurman robbed a Rite Aid. On Dec. 30, 2020, he robbed a U.S. Bank on Florin Road, concluding a spree that eventually helped lead to his apprehension.

In the last robbery, prosecutors said, Thurman forced his way into the secured area of the bank and forcefully took more than $33,000 from three bank employees.

A tracking device was in one of the stacks of money, allowing law enforcement to catch Thurman within one hour after the robbery, according to the news release.

The jury found true aggravating factors, prosecutors said, and Thurman also has a prior 2014 robbery conviction.