Stoneham Savings Bank robbed at gun point
Published on May 13th, 1998
STONEHAM, MA - Stoneham Police and agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigations are still investigating a bank robbery which occurred at Stoneham Savings Bank late Saturday morning.
Police say that, at approximately 11 am, two men entered the branch located at 359 Main Street, put on masks and robbed one teller at gunpoint. The men then exited the bank, got into a Dodge minivan and fled the scene.
Police officers and Chief Eugene Passaro were on the scene soon after the heist and attempted to locate the vehicle unsuccessfully.
"When (the officers) got there, the suspects had already fled the scene," Passaro explained. "It only takes 30 second to rob a bank. By the time they set the alarm, they were already gone."
Police believe that the van traveled onto Hersam Street and eventually down to Montvale Avenue where a witness saw the men exit the vehicle and get into a "small white car."
Police and agents from the FBI questioned eyewitnesses in the bank and got a description of the men. Although it appears at this time that no one saw the men before they donned their masks, they did see that both men were approximately 5'10" in height and were wearing dark clothing. They were both armed with what appeared to be semi-automatic pistols.
"Normally, the only person who is aware that a bank robbery is going on is the bank teller," Passaro said, which may account for the vagueness of the description.
The teller put an undisclosed amount of money in the bag and also placed a dye pack inside which is intended to burst after the suspects leave the bank. According to Passaro, however, the dye pack did not burst as intended.
"This one didn't work," he said. "I don't know why."
He explained that, after being contacted by an eyewitness to the getaway, police located the Dodge minivan idling behind 41 Montvale Avenue. One sneaker which is believed to have belonged to a suspect was lying outside the van and the masks, one of a green material and one hockey mask, were found in the minivan's interior.
"The witness saw them bail out of the vehicle," he said.
Passaro said that he is hoping the evidence which was found behind Montvale Avenue and has since been brought to an FBI laboratory, will lead to an arrest.
"Every time there's a crime, there's a bit of evidence," he said. "Eventually, the people leave enough behind so you can get them.
"Around (this area) we're very high on catching bank robbers, but it takes a while."
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