Crime & Safety

Webster Bank Robber Sentenced to Eight Years

New Fairfield resident Robert Rustigan, 53, of Charcoal Ridge Road, was sentenced to eight years in prison Wednesday for the robbery of New Fairfield's Webster Bank at about 5 p.m. Aug. 2.

According to information revealed in Danbury Superior Court Wednesday, Rustigan's famiy was about to lose its apartment before the robbery and he either took $400 from the robbery to the landlord immediately or was about to take the money to the landlord as he was caught.

Superior Court Judge Andrew Roraback asked Rustigan if he wanted to say anything before he was sentenced.

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"I mostly just want to say I'm sorry to the people at the bank," Rustigan said. "I'm sorry. I've had some time to recalibrate my moral compass."

Judge Roraback sentenced Rustigan to eight years in prison, suspended after three years, with five years of probation. He must pay restitution and never enter a Webster Bank.

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Connecticut State Police said when they arrived at the bank after the alarm on Aug. 2, they learned it had been robbed by a white male who passed a note to the bank teller demanding money. There were no weapons displayed or implied.  The teller handed over an undetermined amount of cash.  

   The area of the bank was searched for the suspect and evidence in this crime. The initial investigation identified several witnesses and leads to pursue in this case. A witness had taken a photograph of a possible suspect’s vehicle with a cell phone prior to the robbery as the witness thought the suspect was acting suspiciously.  

   All area police were advised of the search for the suspect and suspect vehicle. The information led troopers to the suspect, a New Fairfield resident. Troopers and town officers searched the area and neighborhood of the suspect and located the suspect vehicle occupied by the male suspect as he suddenly returned to the area of his residence. 


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