Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Six Bank Robberies Across New York State

BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Robert Stevenson, 59, of Rochester, New York, who pleaded guilty to bank robbery before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Catherine Baumgarten, who is handling the case, on June 11, 2012, the defendant entered the First Niagara Bank at 2853 Delaware Avenue, in Kenmore, New York, approached a teller station, and handed the teller a note that stated, “100.00 and 50.00.” Stevenson then tapped on his waistband and made a noise and gesture suggesting that he had a weapon under his shirt.

In addition to the First Niagara Bank robbery, the defendant also committed the following robberies:

• April 25, 2012, Citizens Bank, 2250 Hudson Avenue, Irondequoit, New York
• May 11, 2012, HSBC Bank, 333 West Washington, Syracuse, New York
• August 20, 2012, Adirondack Bank, 185 Genesee Street, Utica, New York
• October 3, 2012, Bank of America, 50 Genesee Street, New Hartford, New York
• November 5, 2012, Northwest Savings Bank, 210 W. Main Street, Falconer, New York

The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian P. Boetig; the Irondequoit Police Department, under the direction of Chief Richard Tantalo; the Syracuse Police Department, under the direction of Chief Frank Fowler; the Utica Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mark Williams; the New Hartford Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Inserra; the Kenmore Police Department, under the direction of Chief Peter Breitnauer; the Town of Ellicott Police Department, under the direction of Chief William Ohnmeiss, Jr.; and the Albany Office of the Federal bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Andrew Vale.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 7, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Arcara.