A Broad Channel man was sentenced in Brooklyn federal court Tuesday to 15 years in prison for committing a violent robbery of a Ridgewood Savings Bank branch in Glendale while on parole in April 2023.
Gerald DeRosse, 55, pleaded guilty to the charge in May and is described as a serial bank robber by federal prosecutors, who choked and threatened to kill a senior woman to get cash from a bank teller during the heist. DeRosse ran off with just $205 in cash.
As described in the government’s sentencing memorandum and other court documents, on April 6, 2023, DeRosse entered the Ridgewood Savings Bank at 65-01 Myrtle Ave. in Glendale and approached an 81-year-old woman from behind, put his arm around the victim’s neck and placed her in a chokehold.
DeRosse yelled that he was going to “blow her f—–g brains out” if the bank teller did not give him money. Another bank customer hid under a desk during the robbery. A screenshot from the bank’s video surveillance system captured the moment. The bank teller complied and gave DeRosse the $205 in cash. DeRosse then fled, but he was identified and arrested by the FBI a few weeks later. DeRosse previously had been convicted of robbery-related crimes on at least seven occasions and was on parole, having served a 13-year sentence for bank robbery at the time he committed the Glendale bank heist. He had been released from state prison less than a month earlier.
“The defendant, a serial bank robber, chose to terrorize hard-working bank tellers and customers for his own selfish purposes,” U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said. “The victims, including an elderly woman the defendant locked in a chokehold, will never forget that day. It is a vital part of our mission to protect the community, and my office will continue to tirelessly prosecute repeat offenders who show no respect for the law.”
DeRosse was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William Kuntz to 180 months in prison. He is also required to pay $205 in restitution and $205 in forfeiture.
“While on parole for a prior bank robbery, Gerald DeRosse once again terrorized our city by committing the same crime in which he utilized an innocent bystander as collateral to ensure his demands were met,” FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Dennehy said. “DeRosse’s actions carelessly endangered the lives of others out of personal greed. The FBI will not tolerate repeat offenders who consistently threaten the safety of our city and our citizens.”
