Joseph Solomon, Chief of Police
Quinn Public Safety Building
90 Hampshire St.
Methuen, MA 01844
For Immediate Release
Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Methuen Police Arrest Bank Robbery Suspect
METHUEN – Chief Joseph Solomon reports that the Methuen Police Department arrested a man this week for armed bank robbery.
On Tuesday, Feb. 9 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. He 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, N.H., had driven to the Park and Ride parking lot and stolen 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.
A large amount of cash was found on BURNS and the bank teller positively identified him as the man involved in the robbery.
BURNS is charged with:
- Armed Robbery
- Receiving Stolen Property Over $250
- Malicious Damage of Property Over $250
He was held at the Methuen Police Department pending his arraignment at Lawrence District Court yesterday.
“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.”
These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.
###