NEW HAVEN – A Stamford man who pleaded guilty to federal charges of robbing three banks in Fairfield County in a two-week period in 2020 was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison by a U.S. District judge.
Francesco Pensiero, AKA Frank Pensiero, 52, of Stamford, was sentenced Wednesday, Feb. 5 by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 78 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for robbing three Connecticut banks in 2020, according to Marc Silverman, acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on Oct. 13, 2020, Pensiero and an associate robbed the Chase Bank located at 2855 Main St. in Stratford. During the robbery, Pensiero’s associate displayed a handgun on the teller counter and presented the teller with a note that read “this is a robbery; give me all your money.” The teller provided Pensiero’s associate with approximately $1,000 and Pensiero and his associate exited the bank.
Later that day, Pensiero robbed the People’s United Bank located at 1160 Kings Highway Cutoff in Fairfield. During the robbery, he pulled out a handgun and presented the teller a note that stated “This is a robbery.” The teller provided Pensiero with $5,458 and he exited the bank.
On Oct. 28, 2020, Pensiero and his associate robbed the People’s United Bank located at 95 Main St. in New Canaan, according to court documents. Pensiero displayed a handgun, provided the teller with a note demanding money, verbally threatened to kill the teller and other employees, and ordered the bank employees to lie on the floor. Pensiero and his associate stole $9,130 during the robbery, and fled from the bank in a red Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS. The following day, the car was set on fire on Green Avenue in New Canaan.
Pensiero was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on January 27, 2023. On June 3, 2024, he pleaded guilty to bank robbery.
Pensiero’s criminal history includes convictions for bank robbery and other offenses.
Pensiero’s associate was convicted of related state offenses stemming from these robberies.
This investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Stratford, Fairfield, and New Canaan Police departments.
