The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced Monday that the “Penguin Bandit” — a man linked to multiple bank robberies in Denver — has been sentenced.

Samuel Richard Ruthstrom, 42, was sentenced to 160 months in prison after pleading guilty to five counts of bank robbery on Monday.

Ruthstrom was nicknamed the “Penguin Bandit” by Metro Denver Crime Stoppers due to him having a “distinct waddle.”

According to the plea agreement, Ruthstrom robbed four banks and attempted to do a fifth in Denver within a month earlier this year. In multiple robberies, Ruthstrom used notes that threatened to physically hurt tellers if they didn’t comply with his demands, the attorney’s office said in a news release.

A federal legal database indicated that Ruthstrom was arrested Feb. 8. He was originally connected to six incidents as follows, according to the affidavit:

• Jan. 2, 2024 – Robbery at Zing Credit Union at 1095 N. Federal Blvd.
• Jan. 8, 2024 – Robbery at Canvas Credit Union at 2027 S. University Blvd.
• Jan. 9, 2024 – Robbery at Canvas Credit Union at 815 N. Colorado Blvd.
• Jan. 16, 2024 – “Suspicious incident” at Canvas Credit Union at 7055 E. Evans Ave.
• Jan. 17, 2024 – Robbery at Wells Fargo at 3155 E. 1st Ave.
• Jan. 18, 2024 – Attempted robbery at Wells Fargo at 2043 S. Colorado Blvd.

According to the office, Ruthstrom was on state parole and living at an inpatient facility at the time of the robberies. He stole a box truck to commit three of the crimes.

This article includes reporting from Antonia Velez.

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