'Spelling Bee Bandit' Arrested, Charged With Burlington Robbery

BURLINGTON, MA — The man accused of robbing the Salem Five Bank in Burlington back in November was arrested Monday. Jason S. Englen, 34, of Chelsea is charged with the Burlington robbery; as well as robberies in Arlington, Reading and Peabody.

According to the U.S. Attorney's office, a suspect identified as Englen first entered the TD Bank in Arlington on Oct. 31, approached a teller and presented a note with the word "Robery" written on it. The teller handed him money from the drawer and he fled the bank.

The U.S. Attorney's office indicates that nearly identical incidents occurred in Reading, Burlington and Peabody. During each of the incidents, the man handed the teller a note with the word "Robery" or "Robert" demanding cash.

The FBI dubbed the suspect the "Spelling Bee Bandit" due to the misspelled notes that were passed to tellers. After each of the alleged incidents, surveillance pictures were circulated across the state.

Authorities were able to identify Englen as the suspect of the robberies, and learned that Englen was already in state custody on unrelated charges. If convicted, Englen could face a sentence of up to 20 years and prison, three years supervised lease, and a fine of $250,000.

Image via the FBI