A Virginia man has pleaded guilty to a bank robbery that occurred in Auburn last year, just as jury selection was set to begin for his trial. Johann Bass, 45, of Falls Church, Virginia, admitted to robbing a KeyBank branch on Genesee Street on January 12th, 2022.
According to the Cayuga County District Attorney’s Office, Bass entered the bank and handed the teller a note that read “Stay calm, I have a gun, give me your money.” He made off with around $700 in cash, including four $20 bills with previously recorded serial numbers. An hour later, Bass was stopped by the New York State Police in Aurora and was found to be in possession of the same bills.
Bass’s guilty plea carries a sentence of 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison. Sentencing is set for April 27 in front of Cayuga County Court Judge Thomas Leone.
The bank robbery investigation was a joint effort between the Auburn Police Department, New York State Police, and the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected]