Arlington Police Still Seeking Thursday's Bank Robber

Arlington Police are asking for the public’s help in solving Thursday’s bank robbery at Citizens Bank in the Heights.

Police have described the suspect (pictured) as a white male, approximately 5-foot-6. He was wearing a maroon baseball hat, dark hooded sweatshirt, dark pants and light colored sneakers during the robbery, which police responded to at about 9:52 a.m. He also disguised himself by wearing sunglasses and covering the lower portion of his face with a dark scarf, according to police.

Anyone with information is asked to call Arlington Police at 781-643-1212.

VIDEO: Surveillance footage of the robbery

The robbery

The suspect came to the bank at 1420 Massachusetts Ave. on a bicycle, which police now have. He entered the bank from the rear entrance and proceeded to the teller window, where, in what Arlington Police Chief Fred Ryan called a “brazen” and “aggressive” move, he jumped onto the counter and demanded cash from a bank employee, according to police.

The suspect did not show a weapon, but whether he had one was still under investigation Thursday afternoon, Ryan said.

“We do have some good video surveillance, not only from the bank but also from a number of retailers along Massachusetts Avenue,” Ryan told Boston’s 7 News Thursday, “so it’s actively under investigation, and we feel confident that we’ll be able to close this case.”

After the suspect received the cash, he fled the bank from the rear entrance and ran east, behind Unleashed by Petco, police said. He then hopped the back fence onto Paul Revere Road. However, that’s when dye packs, which were on timers, exploded, tainting the cash. The suspect left behind several thousand dollars near the fence, police said.

An extensive search of the area was conducted by Arlington and Lexington police officers, including at least one K-9 unit. Police scanner reports also had Massachusetts State Police Airwing on scene.

Schools were notified of the situation but were not locked down, Ryan said. “A lockdown is not necessary under these circumstances,” he said.

Arlington Police cruiser crashes

An Arlington Police officer was involved in a motor vehicle crash responding to the scene, according to Ryan.

The officer was heading toward the scene (west) on Summer Street in his cruiser with lights and sirens on when a woman traveling the opposite direction attempted to take a left turn onto Hemlock Street in front of him, Ryan said. The officer sideswiped the woman and then crashed into a stationary object, according to Ryan. The officer was transported to an area hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, Ryan said.

The woman had not been cited Thursday afternoon, but the cause of the crash was still under investigation, Ryan said.

The police cruiser sustained heavy front-end damage.

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This article was first published at 10:31 a.m. Thursday and has since be rewritten with updated information.