Retired Essex County Sheriff's Deputy Gets 8 Years In Prison For Robbing Bank
BOONTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A retired Essex County sheriff's deputy and Air Force veteran was sentenced to eight years in prison for robbing a bank last year and threatening to shoot a female teller.
Harry Schnitzer, 71, pleaded guilty in December to robbing Santander Bank in Boonton in April of last year.
Schnitzer handed the teller a note, claiming to have a gun. Authorities said he stole $2,750.
He was arrested in his room at a Parsippany hotel after someone recognized him in the surveillance pictures released by police.
Schnitzer, of Parsippany, must serve nearly seven years of the sentence imposed Friday before he becomes eligible for parole, the Daily Record reported.
Schnitzer was previously sentenced to five years in federal prison in 2006 for robbing three other banks. He went on disability retirement in 2002.
Schnitzer's attorney says she believes mental health issues are behind the crimes.
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