Burberry Robber Strikes Again
Cornell Niley, famously referred to as the “Burberry Robber,” was arrested once more for attempting to rob six banks in Manhattan, according to a recent announcement from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The 34-year-old, who has made headlines before, found himself in this predicament shortly after being released from federal prison in May 2024. His previous sentence was tied to a series of bank heists he allegedly committed last year between August and October.
In a Manhattan federal court indictment, Niley faces three charges of bank robbery and three charges of attempted robbery, with the total amount he managed to gain being just under $3,000.
FBI Acting Assistant Director Vanessa Tibbits remarked that this “binge drinking allegation” certainly poses a nightmare for any bank employee.
During his spree, Niley allegedly targeted several banks around New York City, including locations in Chelsea and the West Village. He reportedly demanded specific amounts of money from tellers, who complied, leading him to walk away with thousands from three banks.
His infamy began in 2012, when he was caught in the act wearing high-end plaid clothing while robbing a bank.
Family members previously indicated that Niley’s penchant for luxury items could have driven him to crime, and they pointed out that his untreated bipolar disorder might have influenced his return to this lifestyle. However, there’s no evidence he sought assistance from mental health services in the city.
It’s not just fashion that fuels his criminal activities; he has admitted to police that his obsession with buying designer clothes played a significant role in his illegal choices.
Moreover, past police investigations revealed notes where Niley misspelled “robber” while issuing threats to bank tellers. An example of his writing included, “This is Robbie.”
In July 2022, Niley was sentenced to 26 months in federal prison for a bank robbery charge he had pleaded guilty to in 2021. Interestingly, before his sentencing, he addressed the court, saying, “Prison does not rehabilitate you. In fact, I learned how to rob a bank from someone in prison.”
He was let go on supervised release in May 2024 after serving two years. Just a few months later, he was back at it, committing more robberies from Greenwich Village to Central Park South, continuing a long history of bank-related offenses.
Despite being on supervised release and having a significant criminal record—34 robbery counts—Judge Jeffrey Gershuney, appointed by former Mayor Bill de Blasio, chose not to place a cash bail on him. Instead, he released the repeat offender under supervision.
Notably, Judge Gershuney faced a reassignment in August after controversial behavior while presiding over a court case.
