Springfield, Vermont Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Robbing Two Banks and Three Convenience Stores

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Samuel Colby, 40, of Springfield, Vermont, was sentenced to serve 7 years in prison after pleading guilty to having committed two bank robberies and the robberies of three convenience stores in January of 2022.  United States District Judge William K. Sessions III also ordered Colby to serve a three-year term of supervised release after his release from prison.

According to court records, during the early-morning hours of January 6, 2022, Colby robbed the Circle K convenience store in Springfield, Vermont of both cash and cigarettes by displaying what the clerk believed to be a black handgun, but which was actually a BB gun.  On the evening of January 6, 2022, Colby robbed the Allen Brothers convenience store in Westminster, Vermont of both cash and cigarettes by displaying what the clerk believed to be a black handgun in his waistband, but which was actually a BB gun.  On January 8, 2022, Colby robbed the 802 Credit Union in Springfield, Vermont of cash by presenting a demand note to the teller stating he had a gun and would shoot someone if he did not receive $2,000 in cash.  Colby’s demand note was written on a torn piece of distinctive stationery.  On January 10, 2022, Colby robbed the People’s United Bank in Springfield, Vermont of cash by displaying what the teller believed to be a black handgun, but which was actually a BB gun.  On January 13, 2022, Springfield Police encountered Colby outside the 802 Credit Union in Springfield, where he was identified by witnesses as the robber during the robbery five days prior.  Springfield Police approached Colby, spoke with him, seized Colby’s vehicle, and applied for a State of Vermont search warrant which was granted the next day.  Inside the vehicle, officers located a black BB gun consistent in appearance with a functional semi-automatic pistol.  The search of Colby’s vehicle was interrupted by reports of another robbery occurring at the Family Dollar store in Springfield.  On the afternoon of January 14, 2022, Colby robbed the Family Dollar by demanding cash from the cashier and displaying a black baton-like object.  Colby was located and arrested shortly after the robbery.  Law enforcement thereafter obtained a State of Vermont search warrant for Colby’s residence, and during that search, located clothing items consistent with those worn during the robberies, cigarettes believed to have been stolen during the robberies, and the top portion of a torn piece of stationery that matched the demand note Colby had used.

United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of the Springfield Police Department, the Vermont State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  He also commended the assistance of the Vermont Forensic Laboratory, who provided crucial assistance analyzing evidence in the case.

U.S. Attorney Kerest stated: “Samuel Colby committed multiple bank robberies and convenience store robberies in southeastern Vermont over the course of eight days.  In addition to traumatizing victims, these types of crime sprees are dangerous and disruptive for our communities.  Thanks to the coordinated and diligent work of the Springfield Police Department, the Vermont State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Colby was arrested and brought to justice.  Our office will continue to work closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to protect the safety of Vermonters.”

Assistant United States Attorneys Wendy Fuller and Jonathan Ophardt handled the prosecution.  Natasha Sen, Esq. represented Colby.