BOSTON – A Methuen man was indicted on Monday, Jan. 11 by a federal grand jury on charges of armed bank robbery.
Caio Costa, 25, was indicted on one count of armed bank robbery and one count of using and carrying a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.
According to charging documents, on Sept. 25, 2020, Costa, armed with a loaded revolver and donning a black motorcycle helmet, entered a branch of the Salem Five Bank in Tewksbury. Inside the bank, Costa brandished a black revolver and stole over $7,000. Following the robbery, Costa allegedly escaped on a black motorcycle. Law enforcement pursued Costa in a high-speed chase, reaching speeds up to 100 m.p.h. Costa eventually crashed the motorcycle in Lawrence and escaped on foot. Law enforcement later located the black motorcycle helmet and clothing consistent with that worn by Costa during the robbery. The next day, Costa was arrested at a Salem, N.H. motel. At the time of his arrest, Costa was in possession of a large sum of cash.
During an interview with law enforcement on Sept. 28, 2020, it is alleged that Costa admitted to robbing the Salem Five Bank three days earlier and committing four other armed bank robberies between Aug. 28 and Sept. 25, 2020. Costa directed law enforcement to a dumpster where a loaded black revolver, black gloves, a black backpack and other items of clothing used during the robbery were recovered.
The charge of armed bank robbery provides for a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence provides for a mandatory sentence of seven years in prison to be served consecutive to any sentence on the armed robbery charges. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan; Tewksbury Police Chief Ryan M. Columbus; Lowell Police Chief Christopher Hurst; Wilmington Police Chief Joseph Desmond; and Chelmsford Police Chief James M. Spinney made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.