The suspect in a Jamaica Plain bank robbery pleaded guilty yesterday, accepting a prison sentence of up to 12 years rather than face trial, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

ROYAL BENJAMIN, Jr. (D.O.B. 6/27/60), who has no fixed address, admitted to a single count of unarmed robbery for the brazen daylight heist from the Mt. Washington Bank on Centre Street on the afternoon of June 17, 2009. Suffolk Superior Court Judge Patrick Brady sentenced Benjamin to a term of 10 to 12 years in state prison.

Had the case proceeded to trial, Assistant District Attorney Philip O’Brien of Conley’s Senior Trial Unit would have introduced evidence and testimony from bank employees, Boston Police, and other witnesses. The evidence would have shown that Benjamin approached a teller with two $5 bills and requested a roll of dimes.

When the teller opened her drawer, the evidence would have shown, Benjamin jumped up, climbed partially through her window, and grabbed about $4,000 in bills. He then fled on foot in the direction of Jackson Square as bank personnel called police.

Responding Boston Police observed Benjamin running through a parking lot in the Bromley Heath housing development. The officers observed him carrying something, glancing behind him, and throwing something in a dumpster along his path of flight.

The officers apprehended Benjamin and checked the dumpster. Inside, they found the stolen cash. The officers brought the suspect and the money back to the bank, where Benjamin was positively identified as the assailant.

Benjamin was represented by attorney Tonomey Coleman.