A Stratford man faces up to 25 years in prison after he admitted robbing five banks, including one in Shelton, in federal court Thursday (Feb. 22).
Bryce Laister, 25 pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery as part of a plea deal with federal prosecutors, U.S. Attorney John H. Durham said in a prepared statement.
Durham said Laister admitted robbing:
- a Webster Bank at 314 Merwin Ave. in Milford on Nov. 30, 2016;
- a Key Bank at 133 East Main St. in Plainville on April 7, 2017;
- a Key Bank at 1328 Boston Post Road in Westbrook on May 5, 2017;
- a People’s United Bank located inside the Stop and Shop at 898 Bridgeport Ave. in Shelton on May 30, 2017;
- and a People’s United Bank located inside the Stop and Shop at 112 Amity Road in New Haven on June 10, 2017.
Laister brandished a pistol during the Shelton robbery, Durham said, and threatened to shoot or kill bank employees during the Plainville and Westbrook stick-ups.
Police arrested him in Stratford June 15, 2017 after a two-hour standoff.
“At the time of his arrest, Laister possessed a .380 caliber pistol and a magazine loaded with two bullets,” Durham said. “A subsequent search one of Laister’s vehicles revealed clothing he wore during the robbery on June 10, a makeup kit he used to disguise his features, and a Stop and Shop circular.”
Sentencing is scheduled for May 17 before Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello on May 17.
Liaster has been detained since his arrest.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, Connecticut State Police and the Milford, Plainville, Shelton, New Haven and Stratford Police Departments investigated the case.
