Lancaster Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robberies

BOSTON – A Lancaster man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to three bank robberies.

Matthew Alden, 26, pleaded guilty to three counts of bank robbery before U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Hillman who scheduled sentencing for April 8, 2021. 

On Dec. 12, 2019, Alden entered the Cornerstone Bank on South Main Street in Leicester and made statements to the bank tellers such as “give me all the money,” “no dye packs,” and “I’m not going to hurt anyone.” Alden wore a black leather jacket, black sweatshirt, tan pants, a black hat, a black and white bandana over his face, glasses and black gloves. Alden stole $9,906, placed the cash into a black drawstring bag and fled the scene.  

On Dec. 27, 2019, Alden entered the Avidia Savings Bank on Maple Street in Marlborough and made statements to the tellers such as “give me all your money so no one gets hurt. No dye packs, no GPS, no banded cash.” Alden wore black shoes, black pants, black sweatshirt, black leather jacket, black gloves and a black and white bandana over his face. Alden stole $3,390, which he placed into a black drawstring bag before fleeing the scene.

On Feb. 21, 2020, Alden entered the Avidia Bank on Maple Avenue in Shrewsbury. He wore a dark winter jacket with fur on the hood, black gloves, a black ski mask over his face, blue jeans and black boots. Alden stated to the tellers “give me all the money,” and stole $1,028.

On Feb. 26, 2020, federal agents arrested Alden who was in possession of a notepad with a list of 12 banks in Massachusetts and New Hampshire and their closing times on Thursdays and Fridays.

A search warrant executed at Alden’s house recovered, among other items, a black leather jacket identical to that worn during the Leicester/Marlborough robberies, a black/white bandana, and a dark winter jacket with a fur hood attachment and black boots, identical to those worn during the Shrewsbury robbery.   

The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Westford, Athol, Lunenberg, Leicester, Marlborough, Framingham, Foxborough, Shrewsbury, Millbury, Lancaster, and Nashua (N.H.) Police Departmens. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucy Sun of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.