RobberySuspectCaughtAfterChase

MADISON, CT - Shortly after 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 9 a man robbed the Webster Bank at the corner of Bradley Road and Route 79.

"We received a hold-up alarm from [the] bank," stated Lt. Robert Stimpson to members of radio and television press that had gathered outside the bank by 1:35 p.m. Five police cruisers were lined-up in front of the bank blocking entrances and exits; the entire scene surrounded by yellow police tape. Several uniformed Madison officers and State Police milled about the parking lot.

"The man showed the teller an note," stated Stimpson, "got what he wanted, and left the bank. Pretty simple." According to Stimpson the note read, "This is a robbery, give me the money." There was no weapon displayed, or threat. An undisclosed sum of money was handed over to the man from a teller's drawer.

The robber is described at a black man, about 30 years old, standing between 5 feet 6 inches and 6 feet, with short hair and a goatee. He was wearing a dark T-shirt, blue jeans, dark sunglasses and a black Harley-Davidson baseball cap. Investigators also obtained a video from a local convenience store of a man who fits the description of the bank robber.

"The only [other] description given by subcontractors on the site doing renovation," Stimpson said, "was they saw a black male wearing a dark-colored T-shirt and blue jeans, fleeing on foot [towards Route 1] clutching something in the waistline of his pants."

A tracking dog brought in from Old Saybrook traced the robber's path to the Cumberland Farms on Route 1 where it lost the trail. Madison police were also assisted by State Police and officers from Clinton.

"We haven't had a robbery in quite a while," said Stimpson. "I know surrounding towns have had robberies recently, so we've been very mindful [of the potential] due to recent activity."

According to Sgt. Keith Ellery, the last bank robbery in Madison occurred in January 1996. That robber was caught and convicted. He was also found to be responsible for three other bank robberies and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Stimpson knowledge that this most recent bank robbery could be associated with recent robberies in surrounding towns, but he said, "there is also the possibility that this is the guy's first time." Stimpson noted that when robberies occur within the same geographical area, they are usually connected in some fashion.