A Berks County man admitted Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court that, in August 2010, he robbed a West Brunswick Township bank along Route 61 of almost $2,500.
Algis M. Diaz, 25, of Reading, pleaded guilty to robbery, with prosecutors dropping charges of terroristic threats, theft, receiving stolen property and disorderly conduct.
Judge Charles M. Miller accepted Diaz's plea and sentenced the defendant to serve 15 to 30 months in a state correctional institution, pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $2,456 restitution to Susquehanna Bank and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.
Miller made Diaz's sentence concurrent with one he already is serving at SCI/Rockview in Centre County. Since Diaz is an inmate at SCI/Rockview, the guilty plea and sentencing were held by videoconference.
Diaz said little during the hearing except to indicate he understood his plea and made it voluntarily.
State police at Schuylkill Haven filed the charges against Diaz, saying he robbed Susquehanna Bank, 1251 Centre Turnpike, at 9:45 a.m. Aug. 6, and taking $2,456 in cash.
Diaz entered the bank and handed to the teller a note reading, "This is a robbery, give me all your money" and "give me the note back," according to police.
Police said Diaz drove away from the bank in a black Mazda.
Within two weeks of that incident, another bank was robbed in Lancaster County and the description of the perpetrator and vehicle matched those from the Susquehanna Bank robbery, according to police.
Also, video surveillance from Susquehanna Bank showed a "very close resemblance" between Diaz and the perpetrator of the robbery, police said.Defendant: Algis M. Diaz
Age: 25
Residence: Reading
Crime committed: Robbery
Prison sentence: 15 to 30 months in a state correctional institution