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Colorado Springs man sentenced to more than 21 years in prison for bank robberies across the state

DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) -- A Colorado Springs man was sentenced to more than 21 years in prison for a string of bank robberies in the Denver metro area and Pueblo.

According to the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado, 46-year-old Jared Lincoln Fitzgerald was charged with four counts of bank robbery, including one with force. These charges were in connection to four bank robberies that date back to 2020.

According to the plea agreement, the first bank robbery happened on July 24, 2020, in Denver. Fitzgerald is reported to have entered a MidFirst Bank with a face covering and yellow hard hat. He approached a bank employee with a hot saying, "This is a robbery." He went on to tell three bank employees, "There is a problem. The problem is you're being robbed." Authorities say he then lifted the front of his shirt to reveal what appeared to be a black handgun in his waistband.

The DA's Office says he ordered employees to the vault and began yelling. He then began counting down and the employees feared they would be shot. Once the vault was open, Fitzgerald reportedly took the money and ordered the employees to stay inside the vault. He then exited the bank.

The second reported robbery was on October 9, 2020. The DA's Office said Fitzgerald entered the same MidFirst Bank. During that robbery, he approached the gate to the teller line with what appeared to be a gun in his hand before ordering employees to access the vault room. The DA's Office said these were the same employees from the first robbery.

According to the DA's Office, Fitzgerald said, "If the cops come, there will be a shootout.” He then removed cash and left the bank.

The third reported robbery happened on April 13, 2021. This time, however, happened in Pueblo. According to the DA's Office, Fitzgerald entered the Power Credit Union in Pueblo and asked to speak to a manager. He then displayed a robbery note threatening employees.

Officials say he ordered employees to open the vault and threatened he would take an employee hostage if the police showed up. He then removed cash from the vault and left the credit union.

The fourth and final robbery happened on July 20, 2021, in Wheat Ridge. The DA's Office said Fitzgerald entered the Wells Fargo Bank armed with a semi-automatic handgun that he kept in a holster on his hip, visible to employees. He stated, in a loud voice, that he needed to speak to the manager about fraudulent checks.

According to officials, he claimed to be a law enforcement official before displaying a note saying, "This is a robbery. I am armed with a gun." Once again, he demanded to be let into the vault.

Following the string of robberies across the state, agents and task force officers from the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force executed warrants on the defendant's house, storage locker, and vehicles. Investigators also found items matching the clothing worn and weapons used in the robberies.

On August 10, 2022, Fitzgerald was sentenced to 262 months in federal prison, which totals more than 21 years. He also was sentenced to five years of supervised release.

“Jared Lincoln Fitzgerald committed four takeover-style robberies, all while he was under supervision for previous bank robberies,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider.  “Fitzgerald clearly knew the consequences of his actions and still chose to break the law and terrorize his victims. This lengthy sentence is appropriate for this defendant; keeping him behind bars helps keep our communities safe.”

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