Former Student Arraigned for Mini-Crime Spree in Framingham

WOBURN, MA -- A former Framingham State University student was released on bail after he allegedly robbed one Framingham convenience store last December and tried to rob a second one hours later before being chased from the store by a knife-wielding clerk.

In Middlesex Superior Court recently, Darius Banks, 18, of Randolph, was released on $3,000 cash bail after pleading not guilty to armed robbery, armed assault to rob, accessory before the fact, accessory after the fact and conspiracy.

As conditions of his release, Banks must wear a GPS monitoring bracelet with a curfew of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and stay away from the stores involved.

His next court date is a May 10 for a scheduling conference.

Framingham police allege that a man, later identified as Banks, walked into the Picante Market at 158 Union Ave. at around 9 a.m. on Dec. 21, 2016, looked at some items, then approached the clerk and demanded money. Police allege that Banks told the clerk he had a gun.

The thief walked out with $350.

In the wake of that robbery, Framingham police had surveillance on several convenience stores the same night. At around 8 p.m., officers spotted a man enter the Gris Market at 3B Second St. wearing the same clothing as in the previous robbery. Police watched as a knife-wielding clerk chased the man from the store.

The Gris Market clerk told police that the would-be robber demanded money, warning the clerk that he had a gun in his pocket. Instead, the clerk grabbed a knife and chased the would-be bandit from the store, police said.

When police searched Banks they found a wrench in the pocket where he allegedly indicated he had a gun.

At Banks' Framingham District Court arraignment last December, his attorney allegedly told the judge that Banks suffered an injury that prevented him from playing football, his grades dropped and he started doing "stupid things,'' the Metrowest Daily News reported.

Courtesy photo of Darius Banks by the Framingham Police Department.