Kingston Teen Pleads Guilty to Bank Break-In

The Kingston teen shot by police responding to a bank break-in on May 28, 2015 pleaded guilty to burglary on Monday, the Ulster County District Attorney's Office announced.

Alexander Jeffries, 18, entered the Chase Bank in the Kingston Plaza through a back door that had been left unsecured. He was captured on surveillance video unsuccessfully trying to break into a vault. Jeffries left and returned that night wearing a mask and carrying a BB gun. He tripped a silent alarm, which prompted City of Kingston police to respond to the scene.

When Officer Steven Fellows arrived at the bank, Jeffries pointed the gun at the officer. Fellows fired one shot from his service revolver, striking Jeffries in the torso. Fellows then provided medical assistance to the would-be burglar.

It was later discovered that Jeffries' weapon was a BB gun. A grand jury determined the officer's use of force was appropriate, given the circumstances.

Jeffries was sentenced to 2 1/3 to 7 years in state prison.