Petar Petyoshin, a 40-year-old man from Martha’s Vineyard, pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery in federal court on Thursday. Prosecutors stated that Petyoshin, disguised in items from his store called Dapper Martha’s Vineyard, entered the Rockland Trust Bank in Falmouth on April 8. He allegedly placed a bomb on the teller counter, brandished a gun, and instructed staff and customers to zip-tie each other’s hands together. Petyoshin then fled the scene in a customer’s car with $20,000 in cash.
During a search of Petyoshin’s home in Edgartown, investigators discovered thousands of dollars in cash in Rockland Trust money bands, zip ties, and clothing items matching those worn by the suspect in surveillance footage. Additionally, authorities seized 57 guns and a significant amount of ammunition. Petyoshin, an Oak Bluffs Water Department employee, was arrested on May 23 on state charges related to the robbery.
Prosecutors have indicated that Petyoshin could face a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. He is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on January 24, 2024.
