Rochester Man Sentenced for Bank Robbery Spree

BUFFALO, N.Y.–A Rochester man has been sentenced to 132 months in prison for a string of bank robberies across Western New York.

Robert Stevenson, 59, was found guilty of bank robbery and ordered to pay $16,425 in restitution by U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Arcara.

The defendant’s crime spree began on April 25, 2012, when he robbed the Citizens Bank on Hudson Avenue in Irondequoit, N.Y. Over the next several months, Stevenson robbed multiple banks, including HSBC Bank in Syracuse, Adirondack Bank in Utica, Bank of America in New Hartford, and Northwest Savings Bank in Falconer.

On June 11, 2012, Stevenson entered the First Niagara Bank on Delaware Avenue in Kenmore, N.Y., and handed a teller a note demanding $100 and $50. He then made a threatening gesture, suggesting he had a weapon under his shirt.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Catherine Baumgarten, who handled the case, praised the collaborative effort of law enforcement agencies in bringing Stevenson to justice. The investigation involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Irondequoit Police Department, the Syracuse Police Department, the Utica Police Department, the New Hartford Police Department, the Kenmore Police Department, and the Albany Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The sentencing marks the culmination of a long and complex investigation. Stevenson’s 132-month sentence reflects the severity of his crimes and the impact they had on the communities he targeted.

The case serves as a reminder of the importance of community vigilance and the dedication of law enforcement agencies to protecting the public. As the investigation and prosecution of crimes continue, the public can rest assured that those who commit serious offenses will be held accountable for their actions.

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