A man whose backpack led to his arrest in September pleaded guilty Wednesday to robbing a Lanier Drive sandwich shop.

The day after robbing a Subway clerk, police spotted Reginald Dominique Bradford, 25, and recognized a distinctive pattern on his backpack that matched the description of a backpack worn by the robbery suspect. Investigation led to his arrest after evidence linked him to the robbery.

The case was scheduled for jury selection Wednesday, but Bradford "changed his initial plea of not guilty to a plea of guilty," said Assistant District Attorney Joseph Cushner.

Bradford entered a guilty plea to the charges of armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, theft by taking and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Cushner recommended a 20-year prison sentence followed by five years on probation, and Bulloch County Superior Court Judge F. Gates Peed "followed the sentence recommendation of the state," Cushner said.

Bradford walked into the Subway restaurant Sept. 9 and held the cashier at gunpoint with a .22-caliber revolver, taking the cashier's wallet, phone and keys before fleeing in the cashier's vehicle. Police recovered the vehicle less than an hour later.

When officers from the Statesboro Police Department Crime Suppression Unit saw a man fitting the description of the armed robber, they stopped Bradford for questioning "and found the handgun and other items linking Bradford to the robbery," Cushner said.

Statesboro police Detective Keith Holloway led the investigation, and Cushner prosecuted the case.
Cushner added that Bradford had previously been convicted of felony theft offenses in Bulloch and Chatham counties.

Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.