NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A Stamford man who committed three bank robberies in 2020 pleaded guilty on Monday in New Haven, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
Frank Pensiero, 51, robbed a Chase Bank in Stratford, a People’s United Bank in Fairfield and a People’s United Bank in New Canaan in October 2020, prosecutors said.
According to prosecutors, on Oct. 13, 2020, Pensiero and an associate robbed the Chase Bank on Main Street in Stratford, and Pensiero’s associate displayed a handgun on the teller counter and presented the teller with a note that said, “This is a robbery give me all your money.”
The teller provided Pensiero’s associate with around $1,000 before Pensiero and his associate left the bank.
Later that same day, Pensiero robbed the People’s United Bank on Kings Highway Cutoff in Fairfield, prosecutors said. During the robbery, Pensiero pulled out a handgun and gave the teller a note that said, “This is a robbery.”
Prosecutors said the teller provided Pensiero with $5,458 before he left the bank.
According to prosecutors, on Oct. 28, 2020, Pensiero and his associate robbed the People’s United Bank on Main Street in New Canaan, during which he displayed a handgun, provided the teller with a note demanding money, verbally threatened to kill the teller and other employees and ordered the bank employees to lie on the floor.
Pensiero and his associate stole $9,130 during the robbery, according to prosecutors, who said that they fled from the bank in a red Chevy Monte Carlo SS that was found set on fire on Green Avenue in New Canaan the following day.
On Jan. 27, 2023, Pensiero was arrested on a federal criminal complaint, prosecutors said. At sentencing, which is not yet scheduled, Pensiero faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
Prosecutors said he was released on a $100,000 bond.
According to prosecutors, Pensiero’s criminal history includes convictions for bank robbery and other offenses.
His associate was charged with, and convicted of, related state offenses stemming from the robberies, prosecutors said.
----
Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
----
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.
