Suffield Man Guilty of 2008 Webster Bank Robbery in Berlin

A Suffield man was found guilty on Friday for his part in the armed robbery of a Webster Bank in Berlin in July 2008.

Luis Soto, 51, will be sentenced on bank robbery charges on July 25 and faces maximum penalties of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to a release from the US Department of Justice. Soto and his brother, Felix Soto, stole approximately $40,000 from the Webster Bank at 40 Webster Square Road in Berlin on July 25, 2008.

The Soto brothers perpetrated a three-minute armed robbery at the bank, according to evidence from the trial. They entered the bank clad in dark clothing and stocking masks, brandishing handguns and forcing employees and customers to the ground. Luis Soto forced a bank teller to empty currency into a duffel bag while Felix Soto pointed his firearm at the bank’s customers and issued threats. The pair then fled on foot to a getaway car on the side of Route 9.

The brothers had two accomplices make false 911 calls reporting a home invasion to distract and divert police while they robbed the bank and escaped.

The prosecutors, Assistant United States Attorneys Michael J. Gustafson and David E. Novick, used DNA and cell phone records to aid in the conviction. A discarded hat and stocking found by police contained DNA matching that of the Soto brothers. Police also found $5,000 on the pair’s escape route.

Forensic analysis of mobile phone records found the brothers had spoken to each other at length before the robbery in close proximity to the bank.

Luis Soto has two prior convictions for bank robbery. His trial, which began on April 28, lasted seven days. The jury deliberated for about four hours before reaching a verdict.

Felix Soto pleaded guilty on April 14 and is waiting to be sentenced.