The man accused in a pair of downtown bank robberies earlier this year pleaded guilty Thursday and faces a sentence of up to seven years in state prison, a prosecutor said.
James G. Hamilton, 45, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree robbery, a felony, in satisfaction of both heists.
He agreed to a sentence of 3.5 to 7 years in state prison. He will also be responsible for restitution for both robberies, prosecutor Stephanie Hughes said. He is to be sentenced in May.
Police arrested Hamilton Feb. 9, minutes after authorities said he robbed the KeyBank at 315 State St. Police later charged him with the Feb. 6 heist at the downtown SEFCU, 469 State St.
Hamilton was accused of entering both banks, passing a teller a note and making off with cash.
In the KeyBank heist, though, he also unknowingly made off with a secreted dye pack security device.
A city parking enforcement officer spotted Hamilton running in the area of Erie Boulevard and passed that information along to responding officers. An officer then took the suspect into custody in the parking lot at 166 Erie Blvd.
Police said Hamilton had evidence from the KeyBank robbery on him.
Police investigated other bank robberies in the weeks prior, but said that the two bank robberies represented the extent of Hamilton’s local activity.
He is represented locally by attorney Sven Paul. Judge Louise K. Sira presided over Thursday’s guilty plea.
State records indicate Hamilton was convicted in 2006 of third-degree robbery and third-degree attempted robbery in Erie County.
He received a total sentence there of four to eight years in state prison.
Categories: -News-, Schenectady County
