by Guy Page

A Colchester man who committed a string of 2024 bank robberies has been sentenced to more than four years in federal prison.

Samuel Blatt, 33, was sentenced June 6 by federal judge Christina Reiss to 49 additional months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. 

Blatt has been detained in the custody of the State of Vermont since his arrest on March 15, 2024. Judge Reiss also ordered that Blatt pay $14,100 in restitution. Blatt previously pleaded guilty to the March 5 robbery of the Union Bank in Johnson.

Blatt has a lengthy criminal history. A 2018 Milton Independent story describing his burglary arrest said he had 11 arrest warrants going back to 2011.

According to court records, between February 28 and March 14, 2024, Blatt committed the robberies of four banks in Vermont, and attempted the robbery of a fifth bank. On February 28, Blatt entered the M&T Bank in Essex and handed the teller a note demanding money, stating that he wanted $100 bills with “No dye packs,” “No bait money,” and “Fast.” Blatt obtained about $1000 from M&T Bank. On March 5, Blatt entered the Union Bank in Johnson and handed the teller a note which stated, “Give me all $100’s, $50’s, $20 bills fast, no dye packs.” 

During the robbery, Blatt stated to bank employees in effect, “This is not a joke, you know what to do, give me all your money.” Blatt obtained $5,300 from Union Bank. 

On March 13, Blatt entered a Community Bank in Burlington, stated that he was robbing the bank and handed a bank employee a note that stated, “Give me all $100-, $50-, and $20-bills, no dye packs.  Fast.” Community Bank employees did not comply with Blatt’s demands, and he left the bank. On March 13, Blatt entered the TD Bank in Winooski and displayed a note to the teller that stated in effect that he wanted $20’s, $50’s and $100’s but no dye packs. Blatt obtained $600 from TD Bank. 

On March 14 Blatt entered the North Country Federal Credit Union in Alburgh. Blatt asked a teller, “Can I cash a check if I don’t have an account here?” When the teller told Blatt no, he handed the teller a note and asked “What about this one?” The note stated, “Give me all the 100’s, 30’s and 20’s you have!!!” Blatt obtained $7200 from NCFCU.