Bank Robber Dubbed the “U-30 Bandit” Sentenced
| U.S. Attorney’s Office February 28, 2011 |
BOSTON—A Norwood man, dubbed the “U-30 Bandit,” was sentenced today in federal court for robbing several banks in 2009.
DIMITRI LONG, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to 20 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $49,460, and a special assessment of $800. LONG pleaded guilty on November 29, 2010.
LONG pleaded guilty to bank robberies committed at Bank of America (Wellesley), March 26, 2009 and April 24, 2009; TD bank (Needham), April 3, 2009; Village Bank (Newton) May 13, 2009; Ukranian Credit Union (Dedham), May 29, 2009; Bank of America (Needham) June 5, 2009; Sharon Credit Union, June 16, 2009; and Sovereign Bank (Needham) July 1, 2009.
In each of the robberies, LONG entered the bank brandishing a black semi-automatic handgun. In three of the eight robberies, LONG placed a device, which resembled a bomb, on the counter. These devices were later determined to be hoax devices. Throughout each robbery, bank employees noted that the robber was communicating with someone outside the bank via a portable walkie-talkie.
LONG, who had been a suspect in the above robberies was captured on July 1, 2009, after robbing the Sovereign Bank in Needham. At the time of his capture, LONG was carrying a black nylon bag containing money and what appeared to be a semi-automatic weapon (later determined to be a BB gun). The getaway driver, Michael Coty, LONG’S half-brother, was captured in Newton after fleeing the robbery scene. Coty later admitted his involvement as the getaway driver in this and two other robberies. On October 7, 2010, Coty was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment, five years of supervised release, and restitution.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Richard DesLauriers Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Boston Field Division made the announcement today.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force, the Norfolk County Police Anti-Crime Unit, and members of the Wellesley, Needham, Newton, Dedham, Norwood, and Walpole Police Departments. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Ortiz’s Major Crime Unit.