NORRISTOWN — A former Pottstown man now living in Norristown is awaiting his fate from a judge on charges he attempted to rob a financial institution in the borough.
Sylvester West, 66, formerly of the 400 block of East High Street, pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court to a felony charge of attempted robbery in connection with the Dec. 19, 2023, attempted holdup at Tompkins Vist Bank in the 200 block of East High Street.
Judge Wendy G. Rothstein deferred sentencing so that court officials can complete a background investigation report about West, who will undergo drug, alcohol and mental health evaluations.
The open guilty plea means West has no deals with prosecutors regarding his potential sentence. West faces a possible maximum sentence of 5 to 10 years in prison on the charge. However, state sentencing guidelines could allow for a lesser sentence.
West, who most recently listed an address in the 200 block of Jacoby Street in Norristown, remains free on bail pending a sentencing hearing in December.
Assistant District Attorney Gabrielle Christine Hughes is handling the case. Defense lawyer Eric Scott Donato represented West during the court proceeding.
The investigation began about 2:21 p.m. Dec. 19, when Pottstown police responded to the financial institution for a report of a robbery, according to a criminal complaint filed by Pottstown Detective Edward Nitka.
A bank employee reported that a man wearing a “puffy” jacket and a scarf around his face entered the bank and when the employee asked if he needed assistance “the suspect produced a handgun and demanded money,” according to the arrest affidavit.
“The employee informed the suspect that the business was an insurance company and did not have any money. The suspect appeared to become frustrated and grabbed the employee by the arm. The suspect then exited the building and fled north on North Charlotte Street,” Nitka alleged in the criminal complaint.
Investigators reviewed surveillance camera footage from the bank that depicted the suspect entering the bank, walking toward employees near an office area while holding a silver and black firearm in his right hand.
Police also reviewed surveillance camera footage from various locations in the borough near the bank that depicted the suspect walking in the area of King and North Charlotte streets. Unobstructed views of the suspect’s face led police to identify West as the suspect, according to court papers.
On Dec. 20, police went to West’s East High Street residence with a search warrant where they found clothing that matched that worn by the suspect connected to the bank incident and a silver and black airsoft gun, according to the arrest affidavit.
A charge of possessing a firearm with intent to employ it criminally is slated to be dismissed against West at sentencing time.
