Wig-Wearing Bank Robbery Fugitive Found Hiding in Tiverton

A suspect wanted in a recent Fall River bank robbery turned up in town this week after a joint investigation between the Fall River and police departments.

Justin M. Davis, 29, of 797 Charles St., Fall River, MA was arrested at 3:56 p.m., Wednesday, March 7. He was taken into custody as a fugitive from justice.

According to a press release from Det. J.D. Costa of the Fall River Police Department, officers responded to the St. Anne's Credit Union, at 286 Oliver St., Fall River at 6:45 p.m., on Friday, Feb. 24 for a report of an alarm sounding. The suspect was described as a white man in his late 20s to early 30s, wearing a hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. Costa noted the outstanding feature was that this man was wearing a brown wig, and the suspect reportedly passed a note and left with an undetermined amount of cash. 

Their department's Major Crimes Division investigated the robbery, and a surveillance photo was provided to area media outlets. Fall River detectives received information from Tiverton Police Det. Sgt. Michael Miguel that the individual depicted in the news was a Tiverton resident, identified as Justin Davis.

Fall River police also received information from an officer at the Bay State Correctional Facility in Norfolk, MA, who identified the person in the news photo as Justin Davis. St. Anne's Credit Union employees also identified Justin Davis from the photos.

Fall River police then issued warrants for the arrest of Davis who was using a Tiverton address.

At 3:15 p.m. on March 7, based on information received from Fall River's Major Crimes Division, Tiverton police detectives, along with Tiverton Officer Vincent Palumbo, responded to 27 Durfee Road and took Davis into custody without incident.

Davis will be charged in Rhode Island as being a fugitive from justice from Massachusetts. He was held overnight until his appearance Thursday in District Court in Newport.

According to Costa, based on Davis’s decision, should he fight extradition to Massachusetts, his case will be turned over to the Rhode Island Attorney General and he will be held at the Adult Correctional Institute until such time he waives or is ordered to return to Massachusetts.