Nov. 7--A federal jury has convicted a New Jersey man of robbing a southside Lebanon bank more than five years ago, the U.S. Attorney's office reported this week.

David Dupree, 32, Camden, was convicted late Wednesday of armed bank robbery, conspiracy to commit bank robbery and use of a firearm during a crime of violence, U.S. Attorney Dennis C. Pfannenschmidt said in a news release. The verdict was returned after a three-day trial before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Yvette Kane.

The charges stem from the April 15, 2004, armed robbery of M&T Bank, 837 Quentin Road.

According to the U.S. Attorney's office, Dupree and Ronald Samuels, 34, also of Camden, stormed the bank armed with semi-automatic pistols and demanded cash. They fled with more $10,000.

About two blocks away, the two men met Latricia Samuels, 35, Camden, and Mayra Rodriguez, 36, Lancaster, in a getaway car, the release states.

The car was found about five minutes after the robbery in the 1200 block of Woodland Street. Its engine was still running when police found it. Police later determined the car had been stolen in New Jersey.

Police from the city and several nearby police departments searched the area around the bank and the site where the car was found but found no sign of the suspects.

The FBI, Pennsylvania State Police and the Lebanon police investigated the case.

A federal grand jury indicted the four on April 23 last year. Aside from Dupree, the other three pleaded guilty. All are awaiting sentencing, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's office said. No sentencing date has been set.

Dupree faces up to 25 years in prison on the armed-robbery charge and up to five years for conspiracy, the release continues. He could also face up to life imprisonment for use of a firearm during a crime of violence.

A pair of sunglasses left behind in the bank led investigators to solving the robbery. A DNA sample collected from the shades was identified as belonging to Ronald Samuels, the U.S. Attorney's office said when the four were indicted.

lesstewart@ldnews.com; 272-5611, ext. 131

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