Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MATTHEW DRAGONE, 31, of Middletown, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to one count of bank robbery and admitted that he robbed or attempted to rob a total of seven Connecticut banks last summer.
According to court documents and statements made in court, DRAGONE robbed the Webster Bank at 145 Highland Avenue in Cheshire on Aug. 12, the TD Bank at 1127 Farmington Avenue in Berlin on Aug. 13, the Liberty Bank at 151 Main Street in Deep River on Aug. 17, the TD Bank at 25 Wells Road in Wethersfield on Aug. 31, the Webster Bank at 377 Cromwell Avenue in Rocky Hill on September 9 (attempt), the Liberty Bank at 357 Main Street in Durham on Sept. 3, and the TD Bank at 184 Clinton Road in Killingworth on September 11. During each of the robberies, DRAGONE, wearing a baseball cap and dark sunglasses and holding a cellphone to his ear, presented a teller with a bank-style bag affixed with a note that demanded money.
On Sept. 16, 2015, a search of DRAGONE’s residence revealed clothing and sunglasses consistent with those worn during the Durham robbery on Sept. 3, as well as a bank-style bag consistent with the one used during several of the bank robberies.
DRAGONE was arrested on Sept. 18, 2015, and is released on a $50,000 bond. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton on May 13, 2016, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
This investigation has been conducted by the FBI, the Connecticut State Police and the Middletown, Cheshire, Berlin, Wethersfield, and Rocky Hill Police Departments, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Scientific Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
