A Massachusetts man has been charged in federal court after investigators say he robbed two banks in separate states and was located in New York’s Capital Region following a multiagency probe.
Prosecutors identify the suspect as Joseph Sawyer. Authorities allege Sawyer stole thousands of dollars from a St. Mary’s Bank branch in New Hampshire and a Chase Bank branch in New Jersey last month. In both incidents, officials say the suspect fled the scenes in a Honda Odyssey minivan.
How investigators tracked the suspect
According to court filings and law enforcement accounts, Sawyer attempted to evade detection by changing the vehicle’s Massachusetts plates to stolen New Jersey plates. Surveillance and highway camera footage in Albany County captured the minivan as it traveled through the region after the second alleged robbery.
The FBI later located the vehicle at a motel near Glens Falls, where Sawyer was reportedly staying. Investigators say surveillance photos were circulated and that at least some family members assisted investigators by identifying him in the images.
- Alleged robberies: St. Mary’s Bank (New Hampshire) and Chase Bank (New Jersey)
- Getaway vehicle: Honda Odyssey minivan with swapped license plates
- How located: highway camera footage and motel surveillance in the Capital Region
Federal charges were filed after Sawyer’s arrest. The exact counts and the schedule for initial court appearances were not detailed in the materials released publicly by local media. Prosecutors often pursue federal charges in multi-jurisdictional bank robbery cases when there is interstate travel or use of interstate facilities.
Why the case matters locally
Bank robberies that cross state lines can draw federal jurisdiction and require coordination between local police, state agencies and federal investigators such as the FBI. For Massachusetts residents and financial institutions, the case underscores challenges banks face in preventing and responding to robberies and the role of regional surveillance systems in tracking suspects.
| Alleged targets | State |
|---|---|
| St. Mary’s Bank | New Hampshire |
| Chase Bank | New Jersey |
Authorities continue to review evidence and coordinate with other jurisdictions involved in the investigation. Anyone with information relevant to the case was urged to contact law enforcement through the channels provided by local authorities.
The investigation remains active. Further details, including charging documents and court dates, are expected to be released by prosecutors in the coming days.
