Arlington police searching for masked bank robber

E-mail | Print | Comments () 09/27/2012 4:25 PM

A bank surveillance camera captured this image of the man climbing over the counter.

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By Globe Staff

A masked bank robber is at large after robbing a Citizens Bank on Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington this morning, making off with only part of his loot after a dye pack exploded during his getaway, police said.

Arlington Police Chief Frederick Ryan said that at 9:40 a.m. the bandit climbed over the counter at the bank at 1420 Mass. Ave., demanding the teller give him cash. She complied, and put a dye pack inside the bag.

“He scaled a fence behind a retail building in the area and the dye pack exploded,” said Ryan. “He abandoned much of the money and continued to flee behind those buildings.”

Authorities searched a wooded area near the bank and called in K-9 units to assist.

Ryan said an Arlington police officer responding to the robbery was involved in a crash. He was taken to Winchester Hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

The chief described the robber as a white male, bald, with a cap and mask, dark-colored sweatpants and light-colored sneakers.