October 31, 2014

New Haven Man Admits Role in Seymour Bank Robbery

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that DANIEL HAMLETT, JR., 28, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to participating in the robbery of a Seymour bank last year.

HAMLETT JR. pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting bank robbery, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Judge Thompson scheduled sentencing for January 23, 2015.

On April 9, 2013, an individual wearing a mask and brandishing a black handgun entered the Webster Bank on New Haven Road in Seymour, ordered everyone to get on the floor, jumped over the teller counter and forcibly took $5,594 in cash from two teller drawers. He then jumped back over the teller counter and walked out of the front door of the bank. In pleading guilty, HAMLETT JR. admitted that he entered the bank shortly before the robbery and thereafter was in telephone contact with his father, Daniel W. Hamlett, Sr. After the robbery, HAMLETT JR. picked up Hamlett Sr. in his father’s red Toyota Prius and eluded law enforcement.

On March 13, 2014, a grand jury returned an indictment charging HAMLETT JR. and Hamlett Sr. in connection with this bank robbery. HAMLETT JR. was arrested on March 14, 2014, and his trial was scheduled to begin on November 3, 2014.

Daniel W. Hamlett, Sr. is being sought by law enforcement, and the FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to his arrest. Citizens with information concerning this case can contact the New Haven Division of the FBI at (203) 777-6311. (http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/known-bank-robbers/daniel-w.-hamlett-sr/view)

As to Hamlett Sr., U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the FBI and the Seymour Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Douglas P. Morabito and Sarala V. Nagala.