DA’s Office Secures Conviction of Bank Robber

Auburn, NY - District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci announced today that the District Attorney’s Office secured the conviction of JOHANN BASS for the charge of Robbery in the Third Degree.  Immediately prior to the commencement of jury selection, BASS, age 45, of Falls Church, Virginia, pled guilty this morning in Cayuga County Court.

On January 12, 2022, BASS entered a bank located on Genesee Street in the City of Auburn and presented the teller with a note reading, “Stay calm, I have a gun, give me your money.”  BASS stole approximately $700, including four twenty-dollar bills whose serial numbers had been previously recorded by the bank.  BASS was found in possession of the recorded money when he was stopped by the New York State Police in the Village of Aurora approximately one hour after the bank robbery.

BASS will receive the maximum sentence of 21/3-7 years in prison when he returns to court for sentencing on April 27, 2023 before the Honorable Thomas G. Leone.

The Auburn Police Department was the lead agency on the case, with assistance from the New York State Police and the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Christopher Valdina and Assistant District Attorney Richard Pado. 

District Attorney Grome Antonacci commented: “We commend the efforts of our local law enforcement partners in locating and apprehending the defendant. Given their quick actions and investigation, our Office was able to secure the conviction and bring the defendant to justice.”

JOHANN BASS