BURLINGTON — A 40-year-old Springfield man was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to a string of robberies — including two bank heists — over an eight-day period around Springfield and southeastern Vermont 15 months ago.

Samuel Colby, last of Pine Street, pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court in Burlington on Monday to robbing the 802 Credit Union and People’s United Bank, both in Springfield, in January, 2022, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Vermont said in a news release.

He also pleaded guilty to robbing the Family Dollar and Circle K truck stop convenience stores in Springfield and All Brothers convenience store in Westminster, Vt.

Colby’s robbery spree began on Jan. 6, 2022, when he robbed the Circle K of cash and cigarettes and ended eight days later when he was found and arrested shortly after robbing the Family Dollar store of cash on Jan. 14, 2022.

A painter and drywaller formerly from Londonderry, N.H., Colby was also ordered by the court to serve a three-year term of supervised release after his release from prison, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.

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