Rash of recent robberies hits local banks and businesses
Published on December 8th, 2004
STONEHAM, MA - It has become increasingly and alarmingly common in the recent weeks, a call to Stoneham Police for a bank robbery that has just taken place.
According to Stoneham Police estimates, the quiet town of Stoneham has experienced roughly six armed and unarmed robberies over the last two months and signals an alarming trend.
"Our biggest concern with situations like this is that no one gets hurt," said Stoneham Police Lt. Rick McCarthy. "We live in a town near both highways, and it's going to be a natural target for that kind of activity."
The latest robbery came two Wednesday's ago at the Stoneham Savings Bank branch, when a man wearing a hat, sunglasses and a handkerchief over his face entered the bank, passed a note asking for money and then exited the store on foot before police arrived.
"It was one of those things where as soon as they walked in...the people in the bank knew they were about to get robbed," said a Stoneham Police source.
The majority of the bank robberies have been of the unarmed variety, as a note is usually passed without any struggle or threat of violence. A pair of armed robberies in the opposite side of town at the South Street Gas Station have marked the only clearly visible gun used in any of the robbery schemes.
According to McCarthy, Stoneham has stepped up their patrols and supervision in the area of the banks in Stoneham and that the activity increase has not gone unnoticed by the authorities.
"The best thing people can do is let us know if they see something that looks strange, or just doesn't look right - especially in proximity to the banks and other businesses in Stoneham," said McCarthy.
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