A Denver man, Samuel Richard Ruthstrom, has been sentenced to 13 years and 4 months in prison after a string of bank robberies, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The 42-year-old, previously on state parole and residing at an inpatient facility, admitted to his crime spree which included robberies of four banks and one attempted robbery.
Ruthstrom's method during the heists involved a stolen box truck he used to commit three of the robberies and threatening notes he used against bank tellers demanding money or else facing physical harm, the plunderings did not go unnoticed, and the criminal justice machinery churned into action. "Repeat offenders are a menace to our communities, and I strongly support sentences like this one that keep these criminals off our streets," Acting U.S. Attorney Matt Kirsch stated, as per the U.S. Department of Justice.
The diligent efforts of the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force, along with the Denver Police Department, were instrumental in Ruthstrom's capture. FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek emphasized the seriousness of bank robberies and acknowledged the cooperative pursuit, "Robbing banks is not a career, it’s a series of crimes that will net you serious federal prison time, that is what this defendant learned once the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force tracked him down," he said, as obtained by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The local Denver Police were also commended for their role in the conviction with Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas expressing satisfaction over the outcome, "The Denver Police Department is proud to see justice served in the case of this repeat offender," he conveyed, noting "Partnerships between federal and local agencies are critical to stopping bank robberies and other violent crimes."
Judge Nina Y. Wang was the presiding authority who sentenced Ruthstrom, bringing an end to a case led by Assistant United States Attorney Brian Dunn. With Ruthstrom now behind bars for the foreseeable future, the case stands as a stark reminder of the consequences awaiting those who err on the wrong side of the law.
