Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, George Venizelos, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigaion (“FBI”), and Joseph A. D’Amico, Superintendent of the New York State Police (“NYSP”), announced that ANDREW RENDFLASH, 36, pleaded guilty today to seven bank robberies and a commercial robbery. The robberies occurred in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island between April 2013 and January 2014.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated: “Andrew Rendflash engaged in a robbery spree, across four states and over many months. Now, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the FBI and our state and local partners, he has pled guilty to his crimes. I want to especially thank the officers of the Ridgefield Police Department for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution of this case.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge George Venizelos stated: “The defendant’s guilty plea is a result of a cooperative investigative effort by federal, state and local authorities. This case should remind other criminals that the FBI and its law enforcement partners will vigorously pursue you and prosecutors will ensure you face justice for your crimes. We will continue to combine the skills of multiple law enforcement agencies to keep our streets safe and hold accountable those who break the law.”

NYSP Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico stated: “The conclusion of this case is a direct result of the dedication and effort put forth by State Police investigators in Putnam and Westchester counties, and our partner agencies. Once again, good police work put a suspect behind bars whose crimes hurt not only the businesses he targeted, but also innocent customers. I thank our law enforcement partners for their cooperation and hard work during this lengthy investigation that spanned multiple states.”

RENDFLASH, who was previously arrested on Connecticut state charges and detained, was arraigned on an eight-count Information on August 11, 2014, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisa Margaret Smith, and pleaded guilty to all counts before Judge Smith today. The Information charges RENDFLASH with the robbery of a branch of First Niagara Bank in Ridgefield, Connecticut, on or about January 24, 2014; the robbery of a branch of Citizen’s Bank in Coventry, Rhode Island, on or about December 26, 2013; the robbery of a branch of People’s United Bank in Brewster, New York, on or about December 23, 2013; the robbery of a branch of People’s United Bank in Holyoke, Massachusetts, on or about December 16, 2013; the robbery of a branch of Chase Bank in Somers, New York, on or about November 19, 2013; the robbery of a branch of TD Bank in Waterbury, Connecticut, on or about November 9, 2013; the robbery of a branch of Naugatuck Savings Bank in Southbury, Connecticut, on or about April 3, 2013; and the robbery of a convenience store in Waterbury, Connecticut, on or about November 16, 2013.

The defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison for each of the eight counts to which he pleaded guilty. The statutory maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. RENDFLASH is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nelson S. Román in White Plains federal court on November 14, 2014, at 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI; the New York State Police; the Connecticut State Police; the Ridgefield, Connecticut, Police Department; the Waterbury, Connecticut, Police Department; the Holyoke, Massachusetts, Police Department; and the Coventry, Rhode Island, Police Department.

The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gerber is in charge of the prosecution.