PHILADELPHIA—Dale Mentzer, 37, of Waymart, PA, was sentenced today to 264 months in prison for a string of armed robberies that he committed, between July 11, 2013 and July 19, 2013 with a co-defendant, in Berks, Chester, Lebanon, and Northampton Counties. Mentzer and Heath DeRizzo, 38, of Manheim, PA, were charged with two counts of interference with interstate commerce by robbery, four counts of bank robbery, two counts of use and carrying of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of convicted felon in possession of a firearm. A third defendant, Samantha Henderson, 24, of Fredericksburg, PA, was charged with accessory to robbery after the fact. Mentzer pleaded guilty on December 11, 2014. DeRizzo and Henderson also pleaded guilty and will be sentenced next month. U.S. District Court Judge Edward G. Smith ordered the federal prison term to run consecutive to a 15-year sentence Mentzer is currently serving in Maryland for other robberies. He also ordered restitution in the amount of $8,926, a special assessment of $800, and five years of supervised release.

Mentzer and DeRizzo committed armed robberies at a Sovereign Bank branch in Kutztown, on July 11, 2013; a Northwest Savings Bank branch in Myerstown, on July 16, 2013; a First Cornerstone Bank branch in Phoenixville and The Rodeway Inn motel in Muhlenberg, on July 18, 2013; a National Penn Bank branch, on July 19, 2013; and, that same day, Cihylik Farms in Allen Township. Henderson assisted Mentzer and DeRizzo in their efforts to avoid apprehension.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Allentown Resident Agency, Pennsylvania State Police, East Pikeland Township Police Department, Northampton Police Department, Northampton County District Attorney’s Office, Kutztown Police Department, Muhlenberg Township Police Department, and Worcester County Bureau of Investigation.