Belgrade Man Sentenced for Manchester Bank Robbery

PORTLAND, Maine: In a gritty ruling that sent shockwaves through the legal community, a Belgrade man was sentenced to over eight years in prison for his role in a bank heist that left both victims and law enforcement reeling.

Clinton Damboise, 47, of Belgrade, Maine, faced U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr., who handed down a sentence of 98 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. Damboise was also ordered to pay $3,179 in restitution for the crime he committed on September 27, 2021.

The story begins two years prior, when Damboise dared to enter the Camden National Bank in Manchester, Maine, with a chilling demand: “This is a robbery, not a joke.” His threat was backed by a gesture towards his jacket’s waistband, and he claimed to have a gun. The teller, cowed but resourceful, handed over cash without question. Damboise, unmasked and bold, fled the scene with the loot.

But Damboise’s confidence was misplaced; the bank’s security camera footage caught him in his moment of truth, and he was identified by both the teller and the surveillance images. His lack of a mask proved to be his undoing as law enforcement swiftly moved to apprehend him.

The investigation into this brazen act was a collaborative effort involving the FBI, Maine State Police, Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office, and even the Southington (Connecticut) Police Department. The swift and thorough probe ensured that justice would be served for the victims of this terrifying crime.

Today’s sentencing marks a significant victory for law enforcement, underscoring their commitment to protect citizens from those who would seek to exploit their institutions. Damboise’s conviction serves as a stark reminder of the consequences that await those who break the law with such audacity.

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