Video of Man Smoking Key Evidence in Mansfield Bank Robbery Case

MANSFIELD, CT — Surveillance video of a man stopping to take one last puff on a cigarette before robbing a Mansfield bank was key to police identifying and subsequently charging him with the crime, an arrest warrant indicates.

Mervin Bundy, 42, of 54 Prospect Ave., Willimantic, was charged Wednesday with second-degree robbery and third-degree larceny for the May 24 incident at the East Brook Mall TD Bank branch, according to a warrant. He appeared in court later that day and had his case continued to Aug. 18, a clerk at Rockville Superior Court said. As of Thursday afternoon, he was still in custody on a $49,000 bond, a clerk at the courthouse said.

The robbery took place at 4:37 p.m. on May 24 when a teller placed a 911 call to state police, according to an arrest report.

According to a warrant, Bundy made off with a total of $6,370 in 20-dollar, 50-dollar and 100-dollar bills, according to a warrant. He later told state police he uses about 100 bags of heroin daily, according to a warrant.

When police and bank staff members reviewed surveillance footage, they realized Bundy was a regular customer, according to a warrant. State police and staffers had a really good look at Bundy and his distinct beard when he paused to take one last puff on a cigarette and then stomped it out before entering the bank to rob it, according to a warrant.

Bundy has a long criminal history since 1994 that included an escape from custody and second-degree larceny, according to a warrant.

Photo Credit: CSP