Armed robber strikes at Springfield bank

For the second time in three weeks, a Springfield bank has been robbed. The latest robbery took place a little after 2 p.m. Tuesday at Citizens Bank in the Springfield Shopping Plaza.
Related story: Police on lookout for robbery suspect
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20150218/NEWS01/702189921

Published February 18, 2015 in the Rutland Herald Armed robber strikes at Springfield bank By SUSAN SMALLHEER Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD — For the second time in three weeks, a Springfield bank has been robbed. The latest robbery took place a little after 2 p.m. Tuesday at Citizens Bank in the Springfield Shopping Plaza. An undetermined amount of money was taken. Police said the robber, who wore a fake black beard, fled on foot over the nearby Fellows footbridge, and a dye pack with the money apparently exploded while the thief ran across the bridge. The bridge links the shopping plaza with the Fellows Gear Shaper complex on Pearl Street. A large splotch of pinkish-red dye could be seen in the snow on the bridge, and the dye outlined a rectangular object that could have been a stack of dollar bills. Springfield Police released a blurry photo of the robber, and police said the man was in his early 20s, and had a high, soft voice. Police issued a detailed description of the robber, saying he was “young in age” and probably in his early 20s. Police said he had a “soft, yet high-pitched and young” voice. Police said he was slender and between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 8 inches tall. He was wearing chocolate brown cotton gloves, a black coat, a green and beige flannel shirt, blue jeans and black logger-style boots. Police said he was wearing a black winter hat and a fake black beard. The robber demanded money, threw a Shaw’s shopping bag at a teller and said he was armed, police said, although no weapon was seen. He held a “large, fat phone” to his ear during the entire incident, police said. It is unknown if he had an accomplice, but police said he ran across the footbridge and possibly got into a car in the parking lot near Vermont Machine Tool Co. While he was running across the footbridge the dye pack detonated, and police said a red mist-like smoke could be seen. The robber may have the reddish-pink dye on his upper torso, face and hands. The small Windsor County South Credit Union was robbed Jan. 28 shortly before noon by a man wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, and other black clothing and boots. That robber was described as clean-shaven, 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 120 to 130 pounds. At that time, the robber also said he was armed, although no weapon was seen. Police would not comment on any possible link between the two robberies. Shortly after the robbery Tuesday, yellow crime scene tape stretched across the front of the sidewalk in front of the bank as Springfield police and Vermont State Police converged on the scene. Springfield officers were examining the footbridge and the nearby parking lot, looking for signs of the dye and any obvious tracks. Police said no one should approach anyone they suspect of having a role in the robbery and should call Springfield Police at 885-2113.