Two Utica-Area Men Plead Guilty in String of Bank Robberies

Zachariah Edwards, 21, of Frankfort, and Nicholas Ferrone, 21, of Utica, admitted robbing:

• Chase Bank, 6004 Court Street, Syracuse, New York, of $2,156 on January 14, 2013
• Berkshire Bank, 2080 Western Avenue, Guilderland, New York, of $2,566 on January 23, 2013
• Chase Bank, 4425 East Genesee Street, Dewitt, New York, of $4,680.75 on January 28, 2013
• Trustco Bank, 2050 Western Avenue, Guilderland, New York, of $1,930 on February 13, 2013
• Bank of America, 638 Memorial Drive, Chicopee, Massachusetts, of $3,300 on February 25, 2013
• Key Bank, 1610 Eastern Parkway, Schenectady, New York, of $3,700 on March 1, 2013
• M&T Bank, 5170 West Taft Road, Syracuse, New York, of $3,446 on March 4, 2013.

In addition, Ferrone admitted to a robbery of the Alliance Bank at 142 Genesee Street, Oneida, New York, of $2,240 on January 3, 2013. Although no weapons were displayed, the robbers told the tellers they were armed during the course of several of the robberies.

Edwards has been held without bail since his arrest on March 8, 2013. Ferrone has likewise been held without bail since his arrest on March 11, 2013. They will both continue to be detained until their sentencing which is scheduled for October 1, 2013, before Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. Bank robbery carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on each count.

The investigation has been a multi-agency effort, including participation by the Dewitt Police Department, the New York State Police, the Guilderland Police Department, the Oneida Police Department, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, Chicopee, Massachusetts Police Department, Schenectady Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by AUSA Edward R. Broton.