SPRINGFIELD — A Bellows Falls man has been charged with the robbery of Claremont Savings Bank and a spree of related crimes, federal authorities said Thursday.
Stephen Loewe, 42, was charged by complaint with the bank robbery in Springfield on Aug. 13.
He appeared in federal court yesterday afternoon and remains in federal custody, with a detention hearing scheduled for next Thursday.
Court documents allege that Loewe began his crime wave by burglarizing a Springfield store in the early hours of Aug. 13.
He then robbed an M&T Bank branch in Springfield later that morning.
That afternoon, Loewe demanded $500 in a note during a robbery at Claremont Savings Bank and subsequently stole a car from a local gas station.
On the morning of Aug. 14, Loewe robbed another M&T Bank branch in Putney, demanding $1,500.
He was arrested later that day and confessed to the robberies and to using the stolen money to buy cocaine base.
The U.S.
Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stressed that the charges in the complaint are allegations, and Loewe is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.
The court will determine sentencing based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors.
