May 28, 2010 - David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DOMINGO GONZALEZ, JR., 51, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 220 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for participating in the armed robberies of two Connecticut banks. On July 22, 2009, GONZALEZ pleaded guilty to two counts of bank robbery and one count of possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 28, 2009, GONZALEZ and Francisco Deida robbed the Webster Bank on Merwin Avenue in Milford. On that date, GONZALEZ and Deida entered the bank wearing heavy winter clothing, had their faces covered with masks and scarves, and were carrying umbrellas, which they kept open to block the bank’s video surveillance. GONZALEZ approached the bank manager, grabbed her by the arm, pressed a gun up against her and demanded access to the safe. GONZALEZ then demanded that the bank manager and the assistant manager accompany him behind the teller line. At the same time, Deida approached a bank teller, pulled out a gun, and demanded money. GONZALEZ directed all of the bank employees to a corner behind the teller line and told them to turn around, while the teller emptied the bank’s day vault into a bag held by Deida. GONZALEZ and Deida then fled from the bank in a car driven by co-defendant Henry Crespo with approximately $84,000.
On April 6, 2009, GONZALEZ and Deida robbed the TD Banknorth on Amity Road in Woodbridge. Like the previous robbery, GONZALEZ and Crespo wore heavy clothing, masks and disguises on their faces, and carried umbrellas. GONZALEZ entered the bank and vaulted over the teller line and demanded cash from two tellers. At the same time, Deida approached branch manager, flashed a gun in his waistband and demanded access to the vault. Deida directed the bank employees to a safe deposit room behind the teller line, while GONZALEZ forced a bank employee to go into the vault with him. GONZALEZ and Deida left the bank with approximately $23,000, and fled in a car driven by Crespo.
During the course of the Woodbridge robbery, a U.S. postal carrier delivering mail to the bank entered the bank and observed the robbery in progress. The postal carrier then left the bank and immediately called 911 from his postal vehicle. Chased by police, Crespo drove the getaway car from Woodbridge into the Rock Creek neighborhood of New Haven. There, Crespo slowed the car down and GONZALEZ and Deida jumped out and fled on foot. Crespo abandoned the car a few blocks later and was apprehended later that day in the neighborhood.
On May 22, 2009, FBI agents arrested GONZALEZ in Bridgeport. At the time of his arrest, GONZALEZ possessed in his car a loaded .32 firearm, along with several fake moustaches and a make-up kit. Deida was arrested on May 28, 2009.
GONZALEZ has 16 prior state convictions for first degree robbery that span a period of approximately 30 years. GONZALEZ’ previous robberies include an armed robbery of a diner in Milford, armed robberies of convenience stores in New Haven and Wallingford, and the armed robbery of an auto parts store in Cheshire.
GONZALEZ has been detained since his arrest.
On June 29, 2009, Crespo pleaded guilty to two counts of bank robbery. On March 3, 2010, a jury found Deida guilty of two counts of bank robbery. Each awaits sentencing.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Milford Police Department, the Woodbridge Police Department, the New Haven Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.
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