By: Tom Duggan – January 17, 2014
The Valley Patriot has obtained the police report, photos, and video of today’s bank robbery suspect and his vehicle in Methuen. The robbery occurred at the Bank of New England on Cross Street.
Police say the suspect walked into the bank, demanded money but did not show a weapon and fled when the teller had a difficult time understanding what he was saying. The suspect was last seen at the Fireside Restaurant on Pelham Street.
According to the Police report filed by Officer Matthew Mueskes: “Video surveillance was obtained from the Fireside Restaurant showing a white or silver Jeep Liberty or Compass with black running boards enter the parking lot. The video shows the suspect walking from the vehicle towards the bank. Moments later, the suspect is seen running from the bank and towards where the Jeep was originally parked. The suspect appeared to be talking on a cellphone. Detectives are reviewing the surveillance footage.”
The Valley Patriot obtained video footage at the Fireside Restaurant showing what looks to be a silver Jeep under heavy sunlight, much like the Silver Jeep involved in the bank robbery shoot out in Arlington this afternoon where suspect (James P. Riley of Quincy) was shot and the other (Shawn T. Bambushew of Everett) was taken into custody.
An Arlington police officer was also taken to the hospital but was not shot. No details have been released on his condition.
Methuen’s Officer Mueskes’ report detailed the video they obtained at the Fireside Restaurant after the Bank of New England attempted robbery:
“Video surveillance was obtained from the Fireside Restaurant showing a white or silver Jeep Liberty or Compass with black running boards enter the parking lot. The video shows the suspect walking from the vehicle towards the bank. Moments later, the suspect is seen running from the bank and towards where the Jeep was originally parked. The suspect appeared to be taking on a cellphone. Detectives are reviewing the surveillance footage.”
According to the report, the teller gave a description of the robbery: “She said a thin, light-skinned, male subject, approximately 5’8” tall, wearing a black, hooded sweatshirt with the hood pulled up and closed tight over his face, wearing brown aviator style sunglasses and black gloves entered the bank and approached her window. She said he had a black, square sachel style bag (like one used to carry a laptop) with a long strap and hanging to his left side. She said the male did not show a weapon and did not pass a note. She said his voice was muffled by the sweatshirt, but he did not sound like he spoke with the suspect said it was a robbery. Suspect then fled the store on foot without getting any money.“
Methuen Police would not comment on a possible connection between the two robberies