Rockland Man Charged In Connection With Four Bank Robberies In New York And New Jersey

Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that YOSEF ZIEGLER was arrested in connection with four bank robberies in the counties of Rockland, Dutchess, and Bergen from January 24, 2019, through October 29, 2019.  The defendant was arrested this morning in Airmont, New York, and presented in White Plains federal court this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judith C. McCarthy.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “In quick succession, Yosef Ziegler allegedly committed a series of daring broad-daylight bank robberies in New York and New Jersey.  Ziegler’s alleged conduct not only put bank employees, law enforcement, and the public at risk.  Traumatic events such as this can also cause lasting undue emotional distress on victims and bystanders.  Yosef Ziegler now stands accused of bank robbery charges which could potentially earn him 25 years in federal prison.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint[1]:

On January 24, 2019, at approximately 4:20 p.m., ZIEGLER entered a bank in Pomona, New York, announced that he had a bomb, displayed a cylindrical device attached to wires, and demanded that employees empty the bank’s vault.  ZIEGLER collected approximately $76,000 in United States currency and then fled.

On April 17, 2019, at approximately 12:00 p.m., ZIEGLER entered a bank in Park Ridge, New Jersey, announced that he had a bomb, and demanded that employees empty the bank’s vault.  ZIEGLER collected approximately $30,150 in United States currency and then fled. 

On June 25, 2019, at approximately 11:50 a.m., ZIEGLER entered a bank in Wappingers Falls, New York, announced that he had bomb, with a device in his hand attached to wires that connected to his belt, and demanded that employees empty the vault and teller draws.  ZIEGLER collected approximately $22,500 in United States currency and then fled.

On October 29, 2019, at approximately 12:00 p.m., ZIEGLER entered a bank in Fishkill, New York, wielding what appeared to be a firearm, which he pointed at employees while demanding that they empty the bank’s vault.  ZIEGLER collected approximately $105,000 in United States currency and then fled. 

Altogether, ZIEGLER allegedly stole over $233,000 from the four robberies.

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ZIEGLER, 29, of Airmont, New York, faces a maximum term of 25 years in prison for each of the three counts of bank robbery.  The statutory maximum sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for information purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the respective judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, FBI Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, FBI Newark Division, Bergen County Prosecutors Office, the Ramapo Police Department, the Fishkill Police Department, the New York State Police, and the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office. Mr. Berman also thanked the Rockland County District Attorneys Office for their assistance.

This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant United States Attorney Courtney L. Heavey is in charge of the prosecution.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.