U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery | U.S. Department of Justice
A federal jury in New Haven has found Geoffrey Shapiro, 44, of Windsor Locks guilty of two robberies committed in February 2020. The trial, presided over by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden, began on January 8 and concluded with the jury delivering its verdicts.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that on February 9, 2020, Shapiro entered a Dunkin’ Donuts at 142 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury around 5:20 p.m. After placing an order, he displayed a small handgun and demanded money from the employee at the register. The employee handed Shapiro approximately $390 before he exited the store.
On February 21, 2020, Shapiro committed another robbery at Webster Bank located at 141 Hebron Avenue in Glastonbury. He approached the teller counter and passed a note reading "Stay calm" and "I have a gun." The teller complied by giving him $1,837. Shapiro then retrieved his note and left the bank premises. Later that day, Glastonbury Police apprehended him at his residence.
A court-authorized search of Shapiro's vehicle on February 22 uncovered a handgun, the demand note used during the bank robbery, clothes worn during both robberies, and additional evidence.
Shapiro was convicted of one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery) and one count of armed bank robbery. Each offense carries a maximum prison sentence of up to 20 years.
Currently released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing, which is yet to be scheduled.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with police departments from Glastonbury, Simsbury, and Westfield (Massachusetts). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brendan J. Keefe and Natasha M. Freismuth are prosecuting the case.
