New Haven resident Malcolm Lytell, 65, pleaded guilty in New Haven district court on Friday, March 8 to one count of bank robbery dating back to an incident last year at the TD Bank on Campbell Avenue in West Haven.
On Dec. 21 last year, Lytell, donning a hooded jacket, dark gloves and a mask covering most of his face, entered the bank. He then provided a teller with a black bad and note demanded cash. He threatened to shoot employees if they did not comply with his demands.
U.S. Attorney John Durham said that the employees proceeded to fill the bag with $1,260 in cash and Lytell fled on foot. He was apprehended by police in West Haven shortly after the robbery. He’s been detained since his arrest.
Durham noted that Lytell has prior federal convictions for burglary and firearm offenses related to multiple armed bank robberies in Connecticut. In January 1994, he was sentenced to 248 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for those offenses. He was released from federal prison in April 2018.
Lytell faces additional penalties for violating the condition of his release, Durham said. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 31, when he will face up to 20 years in prison.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Wilton and receive free news updates.