Crime & Safety

Somerville Bank Robbery: $10K Reward Offered

The FBI released new surveillance video Thursday of the suspect inside Middlesex Federal Savings Bank.

Police continue to search for a bank robber accused of shooting at officers in Davis Square.
Police continue to search for a bank robber accused of shooting at officers in Davis Square. (Somerville Police Department)

SOMERVILLE, MA — Authorities are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a bank robber accused of shooting at police officers as he fled through a bustling Somerville neighborhood. The FBI released new surveillance video Thursday of the suspect inside the Davis Square bank in the hopes of identifying him.

More than 24 hours after the robbery, the suspect remains on the run. Police said the man exchanged gunfire with officers during a robbery at Middlesex Federal Savings Bank just before 10 a.m. Wednesday. No one was hit, and the suspect ran from the scene, according to police.

Surveillance footage from a nearby business showed a bystander, Dave Powers, knocking the suspect into a shrub as he fled on foot. Powers's quick thinking caused the suspect to lose his backpack, which had money and a gun inside.

Find out what's happening in Somervillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Powers told WHDH he saw the man was being chased by a police officer and knew he was "in a position to react."

The suspect is described as a 20-35-year-old Hispanic man standing 5 feet 10 inches, with a medium to heavy build. He was wearing a black stocking hat, camouflage jacket, blue jeans and black sneakers.

Find out what's happening in Somervillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone said the man is "dangerous" and has "no regard for human life."

Roads and public transportation were shut down Wednesday as officers searched nearby homes and a police helicopter canvassed the area, according to social media reports. Residents and students were urged to use caution, stay indoors and report any suspicious activity to police.

A person of interest was detained, but officials said they're "confident now it was not the person," according to NBC Boston. Authorities believe the suspect is no longer in the area, the network reported.

Anyone who can identify the suspect is asked to contact police at 617-625-1600 ext. 7220 (during business hours) or ext. 7254 (24/7). Tips may be left anonymously through text. Begin your text message with 617spd and send it to TIP411 (847411).

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