Serial Bank Robber Charged in Federal Court

A previously convicted bank robber allegedly robbed five banks this summer in Beverly, Somerville, Stoughton and Salem while on supervised release. He was arrested Aug. 4 while attempting to rob a sixth bank in Burlington, according to authorities.

James Patterson, 46, whose most recent address is in Brockton, was charged Thursday in U.S. District Court in Boston with five counts of bank robbery and one count of attempted bank robbery, according to U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz’ office.

Patterson was previously convicted of bank robbery in 2001 and sentenced to roughly 12-and-a-half in federal prison and three years of supervised release.

Authorities allege that Patterson, once out of prison, from April 16 to July 20 of this year, robbed the following banks:

• Beverly Bank, Dodge Street, Beverly
• People’s United Bank, Dodge Street, Beverly
• Century Bank, Fellsway West, Somerville
• South Shore Bank, Turnpike Street, Stoughton
• North Shore Bank, Highland Avenue, Salem

In all five robberies, Patterson wore sunglasses and latex or rubber gloves and had a bandana or clothing covering the lower part of his face, authorities said. In the robberies, Patterson announced he was robbing the banks and then told the employees and customers to put their hands up, according to authorities.

On Aug. 4, federal agents were tracking Patterson as he approached the Century Bank on Cambridge Street in Burlington, allegedly with the intent to rob it. Patterson was arrested at the scene.