Two Men Arrested for Committing Four Bank Robberies

ROCHESTER, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that two men have been arrested and charged by criminal complaint with committing a series of bank robberies in Gates, New York, and Auburn, New York. Brandon Rothenburgh, 34, and James Nicholson, 34, both of Syracuse, are charged with conspiring to commit bank robbery and bank robbery. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Everardo A. Rodriguez, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, the defendants robbed the First Niagara Bank at 2632 Lyell Avenue in Gates on June 18, 2012, and again on August 7, 2012. The complaint also alleges that Rothenburgh and Nicholson also robbed the Citizens Bank at 2042 Chili Avenue in Gates on July 12, 2012, and the Bank of America at 185 Grant Avenue, in Auburn, August 30, 2012.

According to the complaint, the defendants wore disguises and rubber gloves when they entered the banks. The robber then vaulted over the teller counter and demanded cash before jumping back over the counter and exiting the bank.

The defendants made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge W. Jonathan Feldman and are being detained. James Nicholson is due back in court on September 11, 2012, for a detention hearing.

The criminal complaint is the result of a joint investigation by the Gates Police Department, under the direction of Chief David DiCaro; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Rochester Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher M. Piehota; the FBI Syracuse Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Clifford Holly; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Mark Koss; the Geddes Police Department, under the direction of Victor Gillette; the Auburn Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Neagle; the Syracuse Police Department, under the direction of Chief Frank Fowler; the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision; and the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Kevin Walsh. Also assisting in the investigation was the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, under the direction of U.S. Attorney Richard Hartunian.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.