HAVERHILL - A robber who said he had a gun took money yesterday from TD Banknorth at 153 Merrimack St. in the heart of the busy downtown - about 100 yards from the police station.
The heist was in contrast to robberies of other local banks and stores in the last two years that have happened close to Interstate 495, allowing the robbers a quick getaway.
"It's unusual that it was so close to the police station," said Lt. William Leeman.
Police cruisers flooded Merrimack Street moments after 4 p.m., with several officers at the bank right after it happened. The suspect carried a navy blue backpack and had Scotch tape over his fingers so he wouldn't leave behind fingerprints, police said.
The robber said he had a gun but did not show one, according to police.
After taking the cash, the man fled on foot to the parking deck nearby. There, police later found his T-shirt, glasses and a beanie-type golf hat in a trash can. Investigators last night had still not determined how much money was taken.
Leeman said the man may have had a car waiting for him in the parking deck.
Police are today hoping to release a photograph of the man taken by the bank's security cameras. Leeman said the photo is high-quality and could assist investigators in learning the identity of the robber. However, the photograph was not being released to the public last night.
The FBI and state police were called in to assist with the investigation. Haverhill Police Detective John Moses is in charge of the probe.
Last year a man robbed the Sovereign Bank at 340 Main St. in June and robbed the Sovereign Bank at 750 Main St. twice in September. That same bank was hit in April. Both locations are near I-495.
Haverhill bank robbery
Where: TD Banknorth, 153 Merrimack St.
When: 4 p.m. yesterday
Description of robber: A man with a navy blue backpack and Scotch tape on his fingers; said he had a gun but did not show one
Cash taken: Undetermined
The heist was in contrast to robberies of other local banks and stores in the last two years that have happened close to Interstate 495, allowing the robbers a quick getaway.
"It's unusual that it was so close to the police station," said Lt. William Leeman.
Police cruisers flooded Merrimack Street moments after 4 p.m., with several officers at the bank right after it happened. The suspect carried a navy blue backpack and had Scotch tape over his fingers so he wouldn't leave behind fingerprints, police said.
The robber said he had a gun but did not show one, according to police.
After taking the cash, the man fled on foot to the parking deck nearby. There, police later found his T-shirt, glasses and a beanie-type golf hat in a trash can. Investigators last night had still not determined how much money was taken.
Leeman said the man may have had a car waiting for him in the parking deck.
Police are today hoping to release a photograph of the man taken by the bank's security cameras. Leeman said the photo is high-quality and could assist investigators in learning the identity of the robber. However, the photograph was not being released to the public last night.
The FBI and state police were called in to assist with the investigation. Haverhill Police Detective John Moses is in charge of the probe.
Last year a man robbed the Sovereign Bank at 340 Main St. in June and robbed the Sovereign Bank at 750 Main St. twice in September. That same bank was hit in April. Both locations are near I-495.
Haverhill bank robbery
Where: TD Banknorth, 153 Merrimack St.
When: 4 p.m. yesterday
Description of robber: A man with a navy blue backpack and Scotch tape on his fingers; said he had a gun but did not show one
Cash taken: Undetermined
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