Farmington Resident Admits to Robbing Branford Bank

Last January, responded to in at 22 Leetes Island Road on the . The suspect allegedly told the bank teller, "give me the money or die." 

Today, David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that James Bieu, 51, formerly of Farmington, pleaded guilty to the crime in New Haven court, according to a press release.

At approximately 11:40 a.m. on January 3, 2011, Bieu entered the People's United Bank demanding money. According to the press release, Bieu approached a bank teller and demanded “give me good money or die.”  The teller gave him $8,439.       

Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns has scheduled sentencing for April 20, 2012. Bieu faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.  Bieu has been incarcerated since January 29, 2011, after he was arrested by the West Haven Police Department.       

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Branford, Hamden and West Haven Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth A. Latif.