TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A northern New Jersey man who robbed five banks in three counties earlier this year has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison.

Forty-seven-year-old Joseph Pennello of Washington Township, Morris County, must also pay $18,054 in restitution under the sentence imposed Thursday. He also will have to serve three years of supervised release once he’s freed.

Federal prosecutors say Pennello robbed banks in Washington, Scotch Plains, Hackensack, Hackettstown and Rutherford between Jan. 29 and March 10. Each time he demanded money from tellers, either verbally or using notes, while pointing to what appeared to be a concealed firearm.

Pennello turned himself in to authorities two days after the last robbery. He then pleaded guilty to bank robbery charges in April.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)