Six-time convicted felon federally charged in seven central Ohio robberies

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A Columbus man who has pleaded guilty to six felonies has been charged after allegedly committing five armed robberies over six days.

According to prosecutors, a federal grand jury has charged Dequan Keys with seven total robberies and one attempted robbery in January, which included five reported robberies over six days.

Keys, who is prohibited from possessing a firearm, reportedly used a weapon during five of the robberies. The 14-count indictment said Keys committed the robberies between Jan. 12 and 26 and that he stole a handgun from Vance Outdoors on Jan. 12 and 17.

A co-defendant has been named in the case. Marwan Muhammad, 33, also of Columbus, is alleged to have participated in the Jan. 17 robbery.

Prosecutors said that between Jan. 21 and 26, Keys showed a firearm and robbed Little Caesars Pizza on Harrisburg Pike in Columbus, Turkey Hill on South Hamilton Road in Whitehall, Turkey Hill on Stringtown Road in Grove City, Dollar General on West Broad Street in Columbus and Turkey Hill on Morse Road in Columbus. He also allegedly attempted to rob the Turkey Hill on Cleveland Avenue in Columbus the same day as the Little Caesars Pizza robbery.

A court date has not yet been set for Keys, who pleaded guilty to theft, receiving stolen property and breaking and entering between 2015 and 2019.