BANGOR, Maine – A former Greyhound bus driver who robbed 11 New England credit unions and banks along his bus route last year was sentenced on Tuesday in federal court to 10 years plus one month in prison.
Robert Ferguson, 48, of Lowell, Mass., dubbed the “Burly Bandit” because of his hefty build, was sentenced to 121 months behind bars for each of the 11 counts, to be served concurrently. The court also ordered him to pay $81,059 in restitution, which is what he admitted to stealing.
Ferguson spent much of the $107,000 authorities said he stole at strip clubs and restaurants and on sports memorabilia, according to prosecutors. The stolen cash paid for some purchases for his car, including stereo equipment, as well as some high-priced outings such as the Blue Man Group in Boston, a Charlie Daniels Band concert, and a Mother’s Day dinner at an exclusive steakhouse. Prosecutors say he was a big tipper at strip clubs, dropping $2,000 to $3,000 a night. He also bought sports memorabilia and other items.
The Burly Bandit was responsible for a string of heists in Connecticut, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, including at Digital FCU in Tyngsboro, Mass., on May 5, Pawtucket CU in Warwick, R.I., on May 27, and Rockland FCU in North Attleboro, Mass., on May 27.
