Harrison Thorp 7:52 a.m.
Tuesday, February 15, 2022 7:49 am

The former Citizens Bank branch on North Main was one of three targeted in the city. (Courtesy) inset, suspect Christopher Kelly. (Mugshot/Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - A Gonic man accused in three city bank robberies in one month pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday.

In each robbery - all at Citizen Bank branches - Christopher Kelly, 45, of Oak St., Gonic, handed tellers a note stating he had a bomb.

Two of the heists occurred at the Lilac Mall Hannaford branch on Sept. 11 and Sept. 21, 2020, while the third was at the 1 North Main St. branch just weeks later on Oct. 9. He attempted to rob another bank in Wolfeboro on Oct. 13, 2020, where he also claimed to have a bomb.

At the time of Kelly's arrest he was identified by police as a city transient.

East Class B felony robbery count carries a three and a half to seven year jail term.

Kelley is scheduled to be sentenced on May 23.