Man Sentenced After Stratford Police Standoff

MILFORD, CT — A serial bank robber was sentenced to nearly nine years in prison for robbing five Connecticut banks between November 2016 and June 2017. Bryce Laister, 26, formerly of Bridgeport and Stratford was sentenced to 107 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release in the federal system.

Laister was ordered to pay more than $25,000 in restitution to the five banks.

He robbed the following banks, according to the U.S. Attorney District of Connecticut office:

• Webster Bank at 314 Merwin Avenue in Milford on November 30, 2016
• Key Bank at 133 East Main Street in Plainville on April 7, 2017
• Key Bank at 1328 Boston Post Road in Westbrook on May 5, 2017
• People’s United Bank located inside the Stop and Shop at 898 Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton on May 30, 2017,
• People’s United Bank located inside the Stop and Shop at 112 Amity Road in New Haven on June 10, 2017.

Laister brandished a pistol during the Plainville and Westbrook robberies and threatened to shoot or kill bank employees if they didn't meet his demands.

Laister was arrested in Stratford June 15, 2017 after a standoff with local and federal law enforcement officers. He was in possession of a .380 caliber pistol. Clothing from one of the robberies was found in his vehicle.

He pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery.

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