Charles Lamont Wheeler, Bank Robbery, Massachusetts 2020

A brazen crime spree across five Greater Boston area banks left residents on edge, but thanks to the diligent work of law enforcement, two individuals are now facing justice. Charles Lamont Wheeler, 47, a Rhode Island man, pleaded guilty to five counts of bank robbery in federal court in Boston. His co-defendant, Dong Lee, is set to plead guilty on March 11, 2020, while their sentencing is scheduled for July 13, 2020.

According to court records, between September 8, 2018, and September 14, 2018, a series of bank robberies took place in the Greater Boston area. The robberies occurred at Santander Bank in Andover on September 8, 2018; Berkshire Bank in Boston on September 8, 2018; Rockland Trust in Braintree on September 12, 2018; Abington Savings Bank in Avon on September 14, 2018; and Crescent Credit Union in Brockton on September 14, 2018. Following a high-speed car chase in Attleboro on September 14, 2018, Wheeler and Lee were apprehended.

Each count of bank robbery carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and restitution in the amount of $11,250. Wheeler's plea deal marks a significant milestone in the case. The investigation, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, alongside local law enforcement agencies, highlights the importance of collaboration in bringing criminals to justice.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling, Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, Boston Field Division, Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, Commissioner William G. Gross of the Boston Police Department, Chief Emanuel Gomes of the Brockton Police Department, Chief Jeffrey J. Bukunt of the Avon Police Department, Chief Mark W. Dubois of the Braintree Police Department, and Chief Patrick Keefe of the Andover Police Department announced the plea deal. Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling's Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The people of Massachusetts can rest a little easier knowing that justice is being served. Wheeler's guilty plea serves as a reminder that law enforcement is committed to protecting the community and will work tirelessly to bring those responsible for crimes to justice.

As the case moves forward, the community can expect to see a greater emphasis on collaboration and information sharing between law enforcement agencies. The guilty plea is a significant step towards closure for the victims of these crimes and a testament to the dedication of the investigators and prosecutors involved in the case.

With Wheeler's guilty plea, the people of Massachusetts can feel a sense of relief knowing that justice is being served. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of community involvement and the role that law enforcement plays in keeping our communities safe.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/rhode-island-man-pleads-guilty-bank-robbery-0