PORTLAND – A judge ruled that David Bolduc, accused of robbing five banks in the Lewiston-Auburn area, suffers from mental illness but is competent to stand trial.

The ruling follows a request by Bolduc’s attorney who was seeking a psychological evaluation of the Greene man to assess his mental health.

In a recent court order, U.S. Magistrate Judge David Cohen said Bolduc suffers from severe and recurrent major depressive disorder. But his disorder isn’t accompanied by psychotic features, Cohen wrote.

His condition doesn’t make him unable to understand the “nature and consequences” of the legal proceedings against him or unable to assist in his defense, Cohen wrote.

Moreover, Cohen wrote that Bolduc’s mental illness didn’t prevent him from appreciating the wrongfulness of his acts at the time of the alleged robberies.

A deadline for motions was set for Monday, but Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Conley said Friday that he expected the defense to seek an extension.

A trial is scheduled for Nov. 6. Bolduc is being held without bail pending trial.

He is charged with five counts of robbery, each punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He has pleaded not guilty.

Bolduc was arrested at gunpoint in a Wal-Mart parking lot after allegedly stealing $147.39 from Androscoggin Savings Bank in Auburn. Police linked him to the other robberies that occurred over a five-month period by a description of the car he drove as well as by description of his clothing gleaned from surveillance photographs.

During a pat-down, police reportedly found a roll of coins and a note that read: “EMPTY THE DRAWER. NO ALARMS. I’M ARMED.”

Bolduc told police he robbed the bank because he had run out of money, according to court documents.

He lived in a mobile home in Greene. He was unemployed, disabled and divorced, court records said.

No injuries were reported during the robberies.

He is charged with robberies of:

• TD Banknorth in Auburn;

• Community Credit Union in Lewiston;

• Auburn Savings in Lewiston;

• TD Banknorth in Lisbon Falls; and

• Androscoggin Savings Bank in Auburn.

Bolduc reportedly said he needed the bank money to support a drug habit.