A federal judge today sentenced Alvin Murray, 34, to ten years in prison for a robbery at a Sovereign Bank branch in Cumberland in June. After handing a teller a threatening note, Murray fled the bank with more than $10,000. He later led police on a foot chase and jumped into the Blackstone River. Murray lost the bag of money while swimming across the river, and was arrested on the other shore, in Central Falls. Police never recovered the money.

United States Attorney Robert Clark Corrente announced the sentence, which Chief U.S. District Court Judge Mary M. Lisi imposed in U.S. District Court, Providence.

Initially charged with a state offense, Murray pleaded guilty in October to a federal bank robbery charge. At the plea hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Zechariah Chafee said the government could prove that Murray entered the Sovereign Bank on Broad Street in Valley Falls on June 9, and handed a teller a note demanding money: "Give me at least $10,000 or I'll blow your face off. After reading hand me back the note (sic)." He did not display a gun. The teller gave Murray $10,750 wrapped in an elastic band, and he left the bank.

A short while later a Cumberland Police sergeant drove by Murray, who was walking on High Street. When the sergeant turned his car around, Murray ran, pursued on foot by other police officers. At the end of a street, Murray dove into the Blackstone River and began swimming to the opposite shore. When he reached the other shore, Central Falls Police officers arrested him. During the swim, Murray had lost a black bag that apparently contained the robbery loot. Police never recovered either the bag or the money.

Murray has more than 20 prior convictions for misdemeanors and felonies in Florida and Rhode Island, which were a significant factor in his sentencing. His prior convictions include burglary, domestic battery, and assault.

After Murray pleaded guilty to the federal charge, the state dismissed its bank robbery charge.

Cumberland Police and the FBI investigated the case, with assistance from Central Falls Police.