PORTLAND – A Westbrook woman who drove the getaway vehicle in a series of bank robberies in Maine early this year was sentenced in U.S. District Court on Monday to serve 50 months in prison.

Maria Mattson, 31, had pleaded guilty in August to aiding and abetting robbery and conspiracy to commit bank robbery.

Mattson was accused of driving Paul Sans, 30, of Westbrook to rob the Cumberland Farms on Pine Street in Portland on Jan. 11; the University Credit Union on Forest Avenue in Portland on Jan. 12; the TruChoice Credit Union on Park Avenue in Portland on Jan. 19; the Evergreen Credit Union in Windham on Feb. 7; and Auburn Savings Bank FSB in Lewiston on Feb. 15, according to court records.

In each robbery, Mattson drove while Sans went into the bank wearing a hooded sweatshirt, a mask and gloves, and carrying what appeared to be a handgun.

Sans pleaded guilty in federal court in October to four counts of bank robbery and one count of interference with commerce by robbery. Sentencing is Jan. 31.

Mattson and Sans were arrested on Feb. 15, after the robbery at Auburn Savings Bank in Lewiston.

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As Sans got into the getaway vehicle, a dye pack that the teller had given him exploded. Police apprehended them as Mattson tried to drive away, according to court records.

In addition to the prison term, Judge George Signal sentenced Mattson to three years of supervised release and $19,161 in restitution to be paid jointly with Sans.

Staff Writer Scott Dolan can be contacted at 791-6304 or at:

sdolan@mainetoday.com

 


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