Fall River bank robber sentenced to federal prison

PROVIDENCE, RI – A Fall River man who stole a car in New Bedford in April 2017, and used it later the same day as his getaway vehicle after robbing a bank in Tiverton was sentenced today to 48 months in federal prison.

At the time of his guilty plea, Cody Toolis, 28, admitted to the Court that on April 2, 2018, he stole a car from outside a home in New Bedford. About two hours later he robbed a branch office of Bank Newport in Tiverton of $460 and fled in the stolen vehicle.

According to court documents, at approximately 9:15 AM, Toolis entered the bank and handed a note to a teller that read, “Do not move, I have a gun, need $500 in 20’s, I am desperate.” The teller gave Toolis $460. A witness told police she saw the bank robber leave the bank parking lot in a vehicle that police determined fit the description of the vehicle stolen in New Bedford.

Tiverton Police posted a still-photograph taken from bank surveillance video of the robber on social media. Numerous tips from the public and law enforcement agencies identified the person in the photograph as Cody Toolis. One week later, on April 9, Toolis turned himself in to the Bristol, R.I., Police Department.

Toolis pled guilty in August to one count of bank robbery.

At sentencing today, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., sentenced Toolis to 48 in federal prison to be followed by 2 years supervised release. Toolis was ordered to pay $460 restitution to Bank Newport.

The U.S. Sentencing Guidelines range of imprisonment in this matter is 70-87 months. The government recommended the court impose a sentence of 78 months in prison.

Toolis’ sentence is announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch, Tiverton Police Chief Patrick W. Jones, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division and Harold H. Shaw.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise M. Barton.

The matter was investigated by the Tiverton Police Department and the FBI.

United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch acknowledges and thanks the Fall River, New Bedford, and Bristol Police Departments for their assistance in the investigation and preparation of this case for prosecution in U.S. District Court.