Methuen Police Arrest Bank Robbery Suspect

METHUEN, MA – Chief Joseph Solomon reports that the Methuen Police Department arrested a man this week for armed bank robbery.

On Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Methuen Police received a report that the Bank of New England, 3 Cross St., had been robbed. The suspect verbally demanded money and stated he was in possession of a gun, according to police, and then fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash in a gray car.

Officers who were patrolling the area surrounding the Park and Ride, 133 Pelham St., saw a gray Dodge Intrepid, matching the description of the suspect vehicle, pull into the parking lot.

They located the Dodge and noticed it running, but with no one inside. However, they found a man in the passenger side of a pickup truck parked next to the sedan.

Through an investigation, police determined that the suspect, identified as Richard M. Burns, 32, of Derry, had driven to the Park and Ride parking lot and allegedly stole the Dodge Intrepid, which he then used to rob the Bank of New England. He then returned the vehicle to the lot and entered his pickup truck.

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Methuen MA Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. Click this link to find out how to get a name removed from a New Hampshire Patch police report.

A large amount of cash was found on BURNS and the bank teller positively identified him as the man involved in the robbery.

Burns was charged with armed robbery, receiving stolen property over $250, and malicious damage of property over $250.

He was held at the Methuen Police Department pending his arraignment at Lawrence District Court.

“Due to the proactive police work from officers who were already in the area, we were able to swiftly locate and arrest this suspect before he was able to flee,” Chief Solomon said. “I commend the work of the officers involved who brought this case to a quick close.”