Two arrested after Needham bank heist;
possible link seen to U30 Bandit

A bank surveillance camera photo of the U30 Bandit, taken on June 5.

By Globe Staff

Two men are in custody after a bank robbery in Needham and authorities believe the men may be connected to the U-30 bank heists.

FBI spokeswoman Gail Marcinkiewicz said the men were apprehended at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday after the robbery at the Sovereign Bank on Highland Avenue in Needham Center.

One of the suspects was tackled by a state trooper as the bandit left the bank, a law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation told the Globe. A gun was recovered at the scene.

"We believe these individuals may be connected to the U30 robberies," said Marcinkiewicz. She said one of the suspects was wearing all black when he entered the bank.

After the arrests, police recovered money and a cellphone, authorities said.

The FBI had just launched a public awareness campaign last week to offer a $37,500 reward for the arrest of the U30 Bandit, who is believed to be responsible for seven robberies since March.

Police have also blocked off an area on Country Hill Road in Newton where another possible suspect may be at large.

Authorities dubbed the robber the U30 Bandit because he was in and out of banks in under 30 seconds, showing what authorities said was a rare level of discipline.

The robber held up seven banks in suburbs west and south of Boston between March 26 and June 16, authorities said. Three times he placed what appeared to be an explosive device on the counter, including what looked like three sticks of dynamite taped together in a previous Needham holdup.

Police said the last robbery occurred in Walpole at the Sharon Credit Union.