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Authorities investigate bank robbery, suspicious devices in Wellesley

Email|Link|Comments (10) March 26, 2009 06:32 PM

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(FBI)

A surveillance camera captured a photo of today's robbery.

By Milton Valencia, Globe Staff

The FBI joined state and local police in Wellesley this afternooon to investigate a bank robbery and two bomb scares.

The Bank of America at 342 Washington St. was robbed just a little after 4 p.m., said FBI spokeswoman Gail Marcinkiewicz. Marcinkiewicz said suspicious devices were left at the bank and at the Star Market at 448 Washington, less than a mile down the street.

Police cordoned off the area around the Bank of America late this afternoon, while live television footage showed a police robot examining the device on a pay phone outside the Star Market.

"It's a very quiet little community here, but this is something else. This is very unusual," said Frank Ouellet, who works at a local realty company with offices nearby.

Star Market spokeswoman Judy Chong said, "Our store has been evacuated, and we are working with authorities with their investigation." She declined to comment any further.

A section of busy Route 16, a major artery through the town, has been shut down.

Students practicing sports at Wellesley High School this afternoon were asked to go inside as three helicopters circled overhead, said freshman Liana Huber, 15.

A Wellesley police dispatcher said no one was available to comment.

10 comments so far...

IM SO SCARED!

Posted by ME March 26, 09 05:47 PM

HEY I LIVE HERE IN WELLESLEY NOT FUNNY

Posted by will March 26, 09 06:13 PM

Do you think that robber plan this whole thing?

Posted by Mohammad Khan March 26, 09 06:24 PM

I was in the traffic caused by the bomb threats. It took about 35 mins to go 40 feet on the block next to the bank. The cops wouldn't tell you what was going on, so i asked a person walking by and they told me that there were 2 bomb threats, one in a bank and one in star market. I was FREAKED

Posted by Anne March 26, 09 06:34 PM

I was in Wellesley Middle school when this happened. Even though it's basically right across the street from star market and we didn't get evaced. About 10-20 mins ago a guy came into our auditorum wearing a blue jacket (not sure if it was striped) and dark pants. It was weird I ussally know everyone who comes in but this guy just ran in and out really fast. Doubt it was him...

Posted by DZ March 26, 09 07:04 PM

It is some thing unimaginable. You feel that you live in a safe area. You better be careful and watchful at all time

Posted by Humayon B Khan March 26, 09 07:59 PM

I live in wellesley, right next to bank. IM FREAKED OUT

Posted by bob March 26, 09 10:13 PM

it seems like it might be connected to the other bomb threats in recent days that were left in a phone booth, we need to be more alert and pay close attention and report suspicious activities around pay phones who really uses pay phones these days, keep an eye out folks.

Posted by JJ March 27, 09 12:36 AM

Are they holding back information because of the investigation? This story seems to be lacking information. I'm assuming that's one of the devices on the counter in front of him in the picture? The devices were probably diversionary tactics. Was the robbery successful? Was anyone hurt? How long did it last?

Posted by kenny March 27, 09 08:40 AM

Smart robbers...Pull the job after everyone's net worth is down a third.

Posted by swellesley '63-'04 March 27, 09 12:19 PM