Armed Robbery at Citizen's Bank

A man brandishing what appeared to be a semi-automatic weapon made off with an unknown amount of cash from Citizen's Bank on Cherry Street this afternoon, police said. No one was injured.

The robbery at the bank at 123 Cherry Street -- the second in the city in two days http://patch.com/A-fFMJ -- was reported about 1:45 p.m. when the robber, described by cops as a "lone black male" entered the bank showing a firearm and started demanding money.

"The male pointed what appeared to be a semi automatic firearm in a threatening manner as he made his demands for cash. The tellers complied with the demands, giving the robber a money pack that contained a red dye pack," police said in a press release.

"A K-9 track from the exit door of the bank led to the 100 block of Gulf Street where it is believed a vehicle may have been parked or waiting," police added.

"It is believed the dye pack would have detonated a red or pink colored dye inside the vehicle or on the suspect as he was leaving the area."

The suspect is described as an approximately 6-foot-tall black man with a slim build. He was wearing a blue hooded jacket, jeans, and a red bandanna covering the lower part of his face.

Anyone who may have seen a vehicle or the male fleeing from the bank is asked to call the Milford Police Department Detective Division at (203) 877-1465.

The man who robbed People's Bank at Stop & Shop on East Town Road yesterday carried a smile -- not a gun. http://patch.com/A-fFMJ

That robbery is still under investigation.

Police indicated they don't believe the two robberies are linked, noting the suspects' descriptions and method of operation were different.

But they did express concern about the back-to-back heists.

"Two in two days is very unusual, and it's obviously a concern," said police spokesman Officer Jeffrey Nielsen.