Suspect in series of bank heists nabbed

Thursday, December 25, 2008 6:34 AM EST
By Rachael Scarborough King, Register Staff

OLD SAYBROOK — Police have arrested a Shelton man they believe is responsible for a string of bank robberies in Old Saybrook, Madison, Hamden and Shelton.

Jeffrey DeAngelis, 28, faces charges of first-degree robbery, second-degree larceny and second-degree threatening in a Dec. 8 robbery at the Bank of America at 107 Main St. in Old Saybrook. Police did not say how much money was taken in that robbery.

Police also suspect DeAngelis was involved in a robbery of about $1,500 from the NewAlliance Bank in Madison Nov. 28, as well as bank robberies in Hamden and Shelton over the past few months. Surveillance photos from the Old Saybrook and Madison incidents led police to believe the same man was involved.

In each incident, the robber passed a bank teller a note demanding money and saying he had a weapon, according to police. Old Saybrook Deputy Police Chief Michael Spera would not say whether DeAngelis had a weapon on him during the crimes, as the department is still investigating.

“In each and every one of the robberies, he did threaten to shoot people if they did not comply with his demands,” Spera said.

Old Saybrook police executed a search warrant and arrested DeAngelis at his Long Hill Avenue home Tuesday night. During the search, officers seized a vehicle and other items, according to police.

DeAngelis was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

After the Old Saybrook robbery, the Connecticut Bankers Association offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. Spera said that the reward was not paid in this case.

“Since our bank robbery, police officers and our detectives have worked tirelessly following up on every single lead or tip that they were given, some of which did not lead to this individual,” Spera said. “This was true old-fashioned boots-on-the-ground police work, canvassing neighborhoods and interviewing people.”