NH Man Gets Nearly 5 Years In Prison For NH, MA Bank Robbery Spree

CONCORD, NH — A Manchester, New Hampshire man was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison after being convicted of committing a string of bank robberies in New Hampshire and Massachusetts earlier this year, the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Hampshire said Thursday.

Eric Mohan 48, was arrested in April in Hampton, New Hampshire while leaving a Service Federal Credit Union after a robbery, authorities said. At the scene, Mohan dropped a bag containing $10,659 and a demand note, according to court documents.

Mohan, a former teacher, pleaded guilty to several crimes in September, The Telegraph of Nashua reported. The newspaper reported that Mohan had stolen more than $25,000.

According to court documents, Mohan carried out a three-month crime spree between February and April during which he robbed the Triangle Credit Union in Manchester, New Hampshire, the Align Credit Union in Danvers, Massachusetts, a Northeast Credit Union in Lee, New Hampshire and Salem Five Bank in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. The latter bank Mohan robbed twice, authorities said.

The FBI eventually identified Mohan's vehicle and tracked him to Hampton, New Hampshire, where he was arrested at the scene of his April 4 crime, court records show.

"Bank robbers, like the defendant, endanger the safety of the bank employees, the public and law enforcement officers who respond to these robberies," said U.S. Attorney Jane Young "As evidenced by the diligent investigation in this case, law enforcement will prioritize apprehending bank robbers and the United States Attorney's Office will prosecute bank robbers and seek lengthy periods of incarceration to protect the public and to deter others from committing this dangerous crime."

The Telegraph reported that Mohan's lawyers had asked for a four-year sentence for their client because Mohan's crimes were motivated by his drug addiction. The lawyers said Mohan had completed spiritual and therapeutic counseling programs.

However, Mohan's sentence is just three months shy of five years.

"Eric Mohan is a serial bank robber who terrorized innocent bank tellers and bystanders just trying to go about their daily lives, and his actions will no doubt have a lifelong impact on those involved," said Joseph Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division.

Bonavolonta continued: "(Thursday's) sentence should send a clear message that if you rob a bank in this state, the FBI and our law enforcement partners will find you, arrest you, and ensure you go to federal prison for a long time."