Police Search For Shooter After Somerville Bank Robbery
SOMERVILLE (CBS) - There is an intense search on in Somerville for a man who police say shot at an officer during a bank robbery Wednesday morning.
Police Chief David Fallon said the armed man went into the Middlesex Federal Savings Bank on College Avenue in Davis Square just before 10 a.m., fired off a round and attempted to rob the bank.
"An officer entered the bank through an another door, the officer and the suspect exchanged gunfire," Fallon said. Several shots were fired, the man ran off and officers went after him. There were several people in the bank at the time of the robbery, but no one was hurt.
Police shared surveillance photos of the suspect, who is said to be 20-to-35 years old, Hispanic, 5-feet, 9-inches tall, weighing about 175 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black stocking hat, camouflage jacket, blue jeans, and black sneakers.
"I was shocked for a while, I have never been in such a situation," said Joao Borges, who was walking out of the bank as the suspect was walking in. "Suddenly the guy came in and said something like stand up or hold up whatever and gave a shot."
Jack Connolly, who owns an insurance company next to the bank, shared surveillance video of part of the chase. He said a man who was passing by on his way to work heard a police officer yelling. The man, Dave Powers, then shoved the robber into some shrubs on College Ave., knocking a backpack out of his hand. The robber got up and ran off just before the officer arrived.
"He was in pursuit by a police officer so I was in position to react and have enough time to do so, so I did just hoping that I could slow him down so he could be apprehended by the officer," Powers said.
Police seized the backpack and said a gun was found inside, but it's still not clear if that was the weapon used in the robbery.
Heavily-armed officers went door-to-door in their search and asked everyone to stay inside. The immediate area has been cleared, but police say they will stay there for the rest of the day. The FBI's violent crimes task force is also involved in the search, which included several armored trucks roaming through nearby neighborhoods.
"This person is dangerous, he fired shots at least in the air while people were occupying the bank, he fired at a Somerville police officer, and he has no regard for human life," said Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone.
Somerville Police said a "person of interest has been detained" and is cooperating with them, but would not say anything more.
The Davis MBTA station on the Red Line was shut down during the search, but re-opened before noon.
No other information is available at this point in the investigation.
Anyone with tips should call Somerville Police Department at 617-625-1600.
