Guilty Verdict Rendered In Simsbury Dunkin' Robbery Case

SIMSBURY, CT — A federal jury has found a Windsor Locks Man guilty of robbery offenses in Simsbury and elsewhere in Hartford County.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, said Friday that the jury in New Haven found Geoffrey Shapiro, 44, of Windsor Locks, guilty of committing two robberies in February 2020. The trial before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden began on Jan. 8 and the jury returned its verdict Friday morning.

According to the evidence presented during the trial, at about 5:20 p.m. on Feb. 9, 2020, Shapiro entered the Dunkin' Donuts, located at 142 Hopmeadow St. in Simsbury, placed an order, and then displayed a small handgun and pointed it at the employee at the register. Shapiro then told the staffer, "Give me the money" two times and received approximately $390, according to case records.

Shapiro said "thank you," and exited the store, according to case records.

On Feb. 21, 2020, Shapiro entered the Webster Bank branch at 141 Hebron Ave. in Glastonbury and, when he reached the teller counter, he handed over a note that stated, in part, "Stay calm" and "I have a gun," according to case records. The teller then gave Shapiro $1,837 from her drawer, Shapiro took back the note and exited the bank, according to case records.

Glastonbury Police arrested Shapiro later that day at his residence.

On Feb. 22, 2020, a court-authorized search of Shapiro’s vehicle revealed a handgun, the demand note Shapiro used during the bank robbery, clothes worn by Shapiro during the robberies, and other evidence, Avery said.

Shapiro was found guilty of one count of interference with commerce by robbery, also known as a Hobbs Act robbery, which carries a maximum prison term of 20 years, and one count of armed bank robbery, which also carries a maximum prison term of 20 years.

Shapiro is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Glastonbury, Simsbury, and Westfield (Mass.) Police Departments.