Kansas City man pleads guilty to holding up downtown bank using bomb

A 29-year-old Kansas City man admitted in U.S. District Court on Thursday to using a bomb to rob a downtown bank earlier this year.

Steven Marquain Davis was charged by federal prosecutors with armed bank robbery, attempted carjacking and using a firearm during a violent crime that unfolded Jan. 9 during the evening rush hour.

Davis pleaded guilty to bank robbery and to using a firearm during a carjacking or violent crime.

According to court documents, Davis held a remote control device when he walked up to a teller at the Commerce Bank at 922 Walnut St. and demanded money. Davis told the teller that “it” was on the side of the building. The teller told investigators she believed he was referring to a bomb because of the remote Davis was holding.

The teller placed some cash into a black duffel bag.

After the robbery, Davis approached a driver in a 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara on Petticoat Lane, between Main Street and Walnut Avenue. Davis yanked on the door handle and ordered the driver to open the door. When she refused, Davis pointed a gun at her and again ordered her to open the door. He then banged on the window, but the woman drove away. Davis then pointed the weapon at a witness who approached him in the street.

Davis then tried to get into two other cars before police officers began chasing him.

Police shot Davis after he pointed the gun at them, according to court documents.

Federal investigators later found what appeared to be an explosive device in the southwest corner of the bank lobby. Bomb technicians “rendered the device safe.”

Davis faces a minimum of seven years in federal prison without parole. A sentencing date has not been set.

This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 12:41 PM with the headline "Kansas City man pleads guilty to holding up downtown bank using bomb."