Guilty Plea in Bank-Robbing Spree

Andrew Rendflash robbed seven banks and a convenience store between April 2013 and January 2014—even bracketing the Christmas holiday with two of them.

Chased by the FBI; the New York State Police; the Connecticut State Police; the Ridgefield, CT Police Department; the Waterbury, CT Police Department; the Holyoke, MA Police Department; and the Coventry, RI Police Department, the 36-year-old was arraigned on federal charges Aug. 11.

He pleaded guilty the next day in federal court in White Plains, NY.

“Andrew Rendflash engaged in a robbery spree, across four states and over many months,” U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a press release. “ Now, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the FBI and our state and local partners, he has pled guilty to his crimes.”

Investigators say Rendflash started with the robbery of a branch of Naugatuck Savings Bank in Southbury, CT, on April 3, 2013.

But the real spree began in November:

Nov. 9: a branch of TD Bank in Waterbury, CTNov. 16: a convenience store in Waterbury, CT Nov. 19: a branch of Chase Bank in Somers, NYDec. 16: a branch of People’s United Bank in Holyoke, MADec. 23: a branch of People’s United Bank in Brewster, NYDec. 26: a branch of Citizen’s Bank in Coventry, RIJan. 24: First Niagara Bank in Ridgefield, CT

Rendflash, a resident of Oxford CT, was arrested along with an alleged accomplice by the Ridgefield CT police in February for the First Niagara robbery attempt.

Rendflash faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison for each of the eight counts to which he pleaded guilty. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nelson S. Román in White Plains federal court Nov. 14.

“I want to especially thank the officers of the Ridgefield Police Department for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution of this case,” Bharara said.