Manchester Man Pleads Guilty To Bank Robbery

          CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE:   Matthew Ireland, 36, of Manchester, New Hampshire, appeared in United States District Court today and entered a guilty plea to one count of bank robbery announced Acting United States Attorney Donald Feith.

          Ireland walked into a TD Bank in Manchester, New Hampshire, on January 31, 2015 wearing a black ski mask, a hood, sunglasses, and dark clothing. He demanded money from two tellers and made off with a quantity of stolen funds.

          The defendant was apprehended the same day near the Manchester/Bedford town line. When Manchester and Bedford Police attempted to initiate a traffic stop of Ireland’s vehicle, he led them on a brief chase. After crashing his car into a median, he fled on foot but surrendered shortly thereafter, dropping to his knees, reaching into his pockets, and throwing a large sum of cash into the road. Manchester Police recovered most of the stolen money and found clothing consistent with that worn during the robbery in Ireland’s vehicle. Ireland – who faces a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison and criminal fines of up to $250,000 – will be detained pending sentencing, which is presently scheduled for October 7, 2015.

          “The successful resolution of this bank robbery is due to the great investigative work of the Manchester Police and the Bedford Police and the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” stated Acting United States Attorney Donald Feith.  “Bank robbery, even an unarmed bank robbery, is an inherently dangerous crime that causes great turmoil to its victims.  We will continue to work with our state and local partners to vigorously prosecute these dangerous crimes.”

          This case was investigated by the Manchester Police Department, the Bedford Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Georgiana Konesky.