Burlington Standard

Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont announced that Stephen Loewe, 42, of Bellows Falls, Vermont, has been charged by complaint with robbing the Claremont Savings Bank in Springfield, Vermont, on August 13, 2024. Mr. Loewe had his initial appearance in federal court yesterday afternoon and is currently detained in federal custody. A hearing will be held next Thursday to determine whether he will remain detained pending trial.

According to court records, Mr. Loewe committed a burglary of a Springfield store in the early hours of August 13. Later that morning, he entered an M&T Bank branch in Springfield and demanded cash. That afternoon, he entered the Claremont Savings Bank in Springfield and demanded $500, stating in a note that it was a robbery. Mr. Loewe then stole a car from a gas station in Springfield. On August 14, he entered an M&T Bank branch in Putney and again demanded cash—this time $1500. He was apprehended later that day and admitted to robbing the banks and using the stolen money to purchase cocaine base.

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that the complaint contains allegations only and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, Mr. Loewe faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Any actual sentence would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and statutory sentencing factors.

United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigative collaboration among the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Vermont State Police (VSP), Springfield Police Department (SPD), Brattleboro Police Department (BPD), Windham County Sheriff’s Department (WCSD), and U.S. Marshals Service.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Corinne Smith is handling the prosecution while the Office of the Federal Public Defender has been appointed to represent Mr. Loewe.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which brings together all levels of law enforcement and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence for safer neighborhoods. On May 26, 2021, PSN launched a violent crime reduction strategy focusing on fostering trust within communities; supporting community-based organizations; setting strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring results.

For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

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