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Woman Nabbed as Getaway Driver in Bank Heist

According to the FBI complaint against her, on Dec. 27, Sheila Cassata, 48, of Amherst, drove Michael "Max" Mitchell, the alleged mastermind behind 26 bank robberies during the last eight months, to the Key Bank at 201 Amherst St. near Military Rd. in Buffalo.

Mitchell allegedly told Cassata that he was going to get "coin rolls." The defendant went to a nearby fast food restaurant and waited for Mitchell to call. After receiving a call from Mitchell to pick him up near the bank, Mitchell told Cassata to drive away quickly. Cassata told law enforcement officers that, based on his actions, she figured out he had robbed the bank.

She did not report him to authorities, however. Instead, Cassata dropped Mitchell off and he paid her $100 for "driving him around."

Cassata was arrested and charged with bank robbery and accessory after the fact. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $375,000 fine.

 

 

Niagara Falls Reporter - Publisher Frank Parlato Jr. www.niagarafallsreporter.com

Jan 28, 2014