Boston police detective using ATM spots bank robber and makes arrest following wild chase

By Alli Knothe, Globe Correspondent

A Quincy man allegedly robbed a downtown bank at the same time a Boston police detective was using the ATM outside, authorities said. The alert detective followed the suspect, and after a brief chase and a struggle, the man was arrested.

Christopher Washburn, 34, allegedly handed a note reading “money no die pack” to a teller at the Citizens Bank branch at One Center Plaza at about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, then fled the bank, Boston police said in a statement.

The detective, whose name was not released, chased Washburn up Somerset Street, followed him into a parking garage, and cornered him when the suspect tried to get away in the elevator, police said.

Washburn allegedly threatened to stab the detective if he entered the elevator, causing the detective to draw his service weapon to protect himself, police said.

Washburn, whom authorities said was homeless, shouted at the detective and repeatedly told the detective to shoot him. As Washburn walked out of the elevator and towards the exit of the garage, the detective continued his pursuit, and the two engaged in a brief altercation, police said.

Police said two Suffolk County deputy sheriffs, other Boston police officers, and federal law enforcement officials from the John F. Kennedy Federal Building converged on the scene and helped take Washburn into custody.

Police found $200 in cash on the ground and $1,000 in cash in Washburn’s right front pants pocket, an amount equal to that stolen from the bank, according to Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s office.

Washburn was arraigned today in Boston Municipal Court on charges of unarmed robbery, assault and battery on a public employee, and resisting arrest. Bail was set by Judge Michael Coyne at $100,000 cash. He is due in court again on March 8.

Attorney Michael Roitman, who is representing Washburn, said his client had pleaded not guilty. He said today’s arraignment was “the first step of many” in the case.