Stamford Man Admits Robbing 3 Banks in 2020

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that FRANCESCO PENSIERO, also known as Frank Pensiero, 51, of Stamford, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to bank robbery.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 13, 2020, Pensiero and an associate robbed the Chase Bank located at 2855 Main Street in Stratford.  During the robbery, Pensiero’s associate displayed a handgun on the teller counter and presented the teller with a note that read “this is a robbery give me all your money.”  The teller provided Pensiero’s associate with approximately $1,000 and Pensiero and his associate exited the bank.

Later on October 13, 2020, Pensiero robbed the People’s United Bank located at 1160 Kings Highway Cutoff in Fairfield.  During the robbery, he pulled out a handgun and presented the teller a note that stated “This is a robbery.”  The teller provided Pensiero with $5,458 and Pensiero exited the bank.

On October 28, 2020, Pensiero and his associate robbed the People’s United Bank located at 95 Main Street in New Canaan.  Pensiero displayed a handgun, provided the teller with a note demanding money, verbally threatened to kill the teller and other employees, and ordered the bank employees to lie on the floor.  Pensiero and his associate stole $9,130 during the robbery, and fled from the bank in a red Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS.  The following day, the car was set on fire on Green Avenue in New Canaan.

Pensiero was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on January 27, 2023.

At sentencing, which is not scheduled, Pensiero faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  He is released on a $100,000 bond.

Pensiero’s criminal history includes convictions for bank robbery and other offenses.

Pensiero’s associate was charged with, and convicted of, related state offenses stemming from these robberies.

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Stratford, Fairfield, and New Canaan Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel E. Cummings and Amanda S. Oakes.