Manchester Bank Robber Gets 6 Years

MANCHESTER, NH – A Manchester man received a stiff six-year sentence yesterday for masterminding the 2015 robbery of Members First Credit Union on Bridge Street. Derek Potocki, 32, was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison, bringing a close to a case riddled with desperation, drugs, and a near-fatal overdose.

According to court documents, Potocki strong-armed Melissa Bourcher, 28, also of Manchester, into carrying out the heist. He didn’t just suggest it; he meticulously planned it. Potocki selected the target, dictated Bourcher’s disguise, and provided step-by-step instructions for the robbery. On the morning of March 3, 2015, Bourcher, unarmed, walked into the credit union and handed a teller a note, making off with approximately $6,250.

The aftermath was brutal. After dividing the stolen cash, Bourcher spiraled into a heroin binge. She overdosed, and when paramedics revived her, a significant amount of the robbery proceeds spilled from her clothing, immediately leading to her arrest. Potocki, meanwhile, grabbed his share and attempted to flee the area, but was apprehended in Massachusetts on March 12, 2015. He’s been held on unrelated charges ever since.

Potocki’s sentence comes after he entered a guilty plea. But the prison term isn’t the end of his obligations. Upon release, he’ll face three years of supervised release and will be required to pay restitution to Members First Credit Union. The case highlights the dangerous intersection of financial desperation and the opioid crisis, a common theme in Grimy Times investigations.

Bourcher previously pleaded guilty to her involvement and received a 41-month prison sentence. She’s already served her time, leaving Potocki to shoulder the bulk of the punishment for a crime fueled by addiction and greed. The investigation was a joint effort between the Manchester Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Charles L. Rombeau prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and ensuring Potocki faced justice. This case serves as a grim reminder that even seemingly small-scale robberies can have devastating consequences, impacting not only the financial institution targeted but also the lives of those involved – and those caught in the crossfire.

RELATED: Neil West Sr. Gets 16½ Years for Armed Bank Heists

RELATED: Manchester Bank Bandit Gets 54 Months for Armed Heist