Former Farmington Man Sentenced to 20 Years For Bank Robbery Spree

A former Farmington man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after being convicted of a string of bank robberies in which he reportedly threatened to kill tellers unless they gave him money.

James Bieu, 52, was sentenced today in New Haven for the bank robbery spree, which took place in shoreline towns in January 2011.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Bieu got away with $9,439 from a People’s United Bank in a Super Stop & Shop in Branford on Jan. 3, 2011. Bieu reportedly entered the store, approached a bank teller and demanded “give me good money or die.” When the teller turned over the money, Bieu reportedly placed the money in a grocery bag and fled the store.

Four days later, Bieu hit a branch of New Alliance Bank in Hamden, handing the teller a bag and a note that read, “Give me your money. No ink in it or I’ll blow your head off,” according to a release from the Connecticut District Attorney. The teller reportedly placed $2,562 in the bag and gave it to Bieu, who then fled the bank.

On Jan. 29, 2011, Bieu again struck, this time at a New Alliance Bank in West Haven. He reportedly handed the teller a note that read “We know where you live, no dye money, give me all the 10s, 20s, 50s, and 100s NOW!!!, Got 15 shots in my gun,” and stated “Give me all the big bills.” The teller responded that she did not have any big bills and Bieu told her that he would shoot her in the head if she did not turn the money over to him, according to the release. The teller gave Bieu approximately $5,584. After fleeing the bank, Bieu was subdued by bank customers on Main Street, then arrested by West Haven Police.

Bieu pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery stemming from the Branford robbery on Jan. in federal court. He has also pleaded guilty in state court to the Hamden and West Haven robberies. 

Today, Judge Ellen Bree Burns recommended that the federal sentences be served concurrently with the state sentences, which have not yet been imposed. Bieu has been held since West Haven Police arrested him on Jan. 29, 2011.