Chelmsford Bank Robbery Suspects Nabbed in Methuen

CHELSMFORD, MA - A Methuen man and Lowell woman suspected in several robberies, including one on Feb. 7 in Chelmsford, have been arrested.

Joshua Pittochelli 33, of Methuen and Beth Giguere, 36, of Lowell were arrested by Methuen police on Feb. 9 after a brief pursuit by Massachusetts State Police on Interstate 495, according to a press release.

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Pittochelli is suspected of robbing the Citizens Bank inside Stop & Shop in Chelmsford on Sunday, Feb. 7. Police said that surveillance footage at the bank showed Pittochelli passing a note demanding money to the bank teller. He then fled the scene in a blue Toyota RAV4 alledgedly driven by Giguere.

The Chelmsford robbery came after an attempted robbery of the Stop Quick convenience store in Methuen on Feb. 3. In that instance, the suspect wielded a knife and got into a physical altercation with the store clerk who refused to give him money. The suspect destroyed store property and then fled in a blue Suv, according to police.

That same day, Pittochelli allegedly robbed a bank in Lawrence and was again seen leaving in a blue Toyota RAV4.

All three departments issued warrants for the suspects’ arrests.

Tuesday, state police spotted the suspect;s vehicle on 495 and initiated a pursuit that ended when the vehicle pulled into the parking lot of the Methuen Police Department and surrendered.

The Chelmsford Police Department charged Pitochelli and Giguere with unarmed bank robbery.

The Methuen Police Department charged Pitochelli with armed assault with intent to rob and malicious destruction of property over $250 and arrested him on an additional warrant for a shoplifting incident on Feb. 5.

“This is an example of excellent police work by all three police departments,” Chelmsford Police Chief James Spinney said. ”We have taken two criminals off the streets. Thank you to the Methuen Police Department and State Police for working with us on this matter and apprehending the suspects involved.”