Police probe possible link between Friday bank robbery, 'Merrimack Valley bandit'

TEWKSBURY, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Investigators are looking into a potential link between a bank robbery on Friday night in Tewksbury and the recent slew of robberies committed at the hands of a suspect dubbed the "Merrimack Valley Bandit."

Police say a man entered the TD Bank located at 2345 Main Street just before 8 p.m. and demanded money at gun point. The suspect is described as a light skinned man with a Hispanic accent, standing about 5'8" tall, wearing a black jacket with the hood pulled up, a black mask, dark colored pants, and beige work boots. The suspect is believed to be in his late 20s to early 30s.

Anyone with information regarding this robbery is asked to call 978-851-7373. Tips can be made anonymously to 978-851-0175 or by e-mailing tewks_detectives@tewksbury-ma.gov.

While investigators say it is too early to know for sure, they believe the robbery may be linked to seven recent robbers in the Merrimack Valley.

Earlier this week, the FBI announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a bank robber responsible for seven armed bank robberies in the northeastern part of the state since February.

The FBI has dubbed the reported robber the "Merrimack Valley Bandit" and says the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.

During each of the robberies, the suspect used a small handgun and pointed it at the tellers. In some instances, the suspect threatened to harm the tellers if they did not comply, authorities said.

The FBI suspects the bank robber may have an accomplice who waits nearby in a white or light-colored car.

The suspect is believed to be responsible for the following robberies:

• 02/21/2013 at about 6:30 p.m., TD Bank, 547 Broadway, Methuen

• 03/01/2013 at about 7:45 p.m., TD Bank, 91 Pleasant Valley St., Methuen

• 03/12/2013 at about 10:30 a.m., NESC Credit Union, 248 Pleasant St. Methuen

• 03/28/2013 at about 5:24 p.m., TD Bank, 350 South Broadway, Lawrence

• 04/03/2013 at about 4:15 p.m., TD Bank, 350 South Broadway, Lawrence

• 04/08/2013 at about 5:29 p.m., TD Bank, 1255 Bridge St., Dracut

• 04/09/2013 at about 2:12 p.m., TD Bank, 280 Main St., Groveland

A task force composed of the FBI and police departments from Lawrence, Methuen, Dracut, and Groveland says the suspect wore a white logo on a jacket during some of the robberies. The suspect also is said to have thin eyebrows.

The FBI is offering a monetary reward of up to $10,000 for information leading directly to the arrest of the robber.

Anyone with information regarding the robberies in Methuen, Lawrence, Dracut, and Groveland should call the FBI at 617-742-5533, the Lawrence Police Dept. at 978-794-5900, the Methuen Police Dept. at 978-983-8698, the Dracut Police Department at 978-957-2123 or the Groveland Police Department at 978-521-1212.

Cox Media Group