Lowell Man Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Prison for Armed Bank Robberies

BOSTON - A Lowell man was sentenced yesterday for the robberies of three Worcester banks in April 2023.

Joselito Santiago-Matias, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to 76 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Santiago-Matias was also ordered to pay $20,528 in restitution. In May 2024, Santiago-Matias pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery and two counts of armed bank robbery.

On April 3, 2023, Santiago-Matias entered a Santander Bank in Worcester wearing a mask, demanded money from the teller and carried away $7,560. On April 12, 2023, Santiago-Matais entered a Berkshire Bank in Worcester while wearing a mask and carrying a firearm, pointed the firearm gun at the teller and stole $2,150. On April 19, 2023, Santiago-Matias entered a Santander Bank in Worcester. While inside the bank, he pointed a firearm at the teller and threatened, "give me the bag or I will shoot you." Santiago-Matias left the bank with $10,818.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Worcester Police Department Interim Chief Paul B. Saucier made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan D. O'Shea of the Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.