Bank Robber Who Escaped From Custody Sentenced For Robbing Two Rochester Banks

CONTACT:  Barbara Burns

PHONE:         (716) 843-5817

FAX #:            (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Michael Matzen, 39, of Troy, NY, who was convicted of escaping from federal custody and to two counts of bank robbery, was sentenced to serve 65 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.  In addition, the defendant was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $3,604.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean C. Eldridge, who handled the case, stated that Matzen was previously sentenced to a 57 month prison term in the Northern District of New York for two separate bank robberies.  On July 26, 2019, Matzen was designated by the Bureau of Prisons to serve the last several months of that sentence at the Residential Reentry Center in Rochester, New York. On August 30, 2019, Matzen was given permission temporarily to leave the facility until 8:00 p.m. that evening.  However, Matzen absconded and did not return to the Residential Reentry Center to complete service of his sentence. 

On September 3, 2019, four days after absconding, Matzen robbed the Canandaigua National Bank at 210 Alexander Street, Rochester, New York.  Matzen entered the bank wearing a hoodie, dark sunglasses, and a bandana that covered most of his face, and handed a teller a note that demanded money.  The teller complied, handed Matzen $2,000 in U.S. Currency, and Matzen fled the bank.

On September 19, 2019, Matzen robbed the Key Bank at 1185 University Avenue, Rochester, New York.  Matzen entered the bank and handed a teller a note that stated “Give me all big bills, 50-100’s, no GPS or dye pack, top & bottom drawers, all will be OK for you all.”  The teller complied and handed Matzen $1,604 in U.S. Currency.  Matzen attempted to flee the bank, but was tackled and detained by two bank customers who held Matzen down until police officers arrived.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Rochester Area Major Crimes Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gary Loeffert, the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief La’Ron D. Singletary, and the United States Marshals Service for the Western District of New York, under the direction of United States Marshal Charles Salina.

# # # #