Martha's Vineyard bank robbed, police searching for 3 armed suspects
VINEYARD HAVEN - Federal, state and local authorities are searching for three people wanted for an armed robbery at a bank on Martha's Vineyard Thursday morning.
Tisbury Police told WBZ-TV three suspects robbed the Rockland Trust on Edgartown Road in Vineyard Haven just after 8 a.m., stole an employee's car and took off. A spokesperson for the bank said no one was hurt.
The suspects were masked, gloved and armed with handguns. There have been no arrests.
Police said residents should remain vigilant but should not "be overly alarmed."
"This was a targeted crime and there is no additional information that should cause undue fear," District Attorney Michael O'Keefe said.
Investigators released an image of one of the suspects Thursday night. They are asking the public for information about the mask the suspect was wearing.
Ferry service to and from the island was not stopped at any point Thursday, according to the Steamship Authority.
A tip prompted police to swarm a Holiday Inn in Falmouth on Cape Cod hours after the robbery.
"I was at a chiefs' meeting when I first saw the text there was a robbery at the bank," said Falmouth Police Chief Edward Dunne. "I thought... really? You're on an island."
Guests at the hotel happened to be gathered for a Cape Cod wedding.
"They asked us what room we came out of, and then they were like 'oh-you're not who we're looking for, would you mind going to the lobby to talk to us and answer some questions,'" said hotel guest Mitchell Block.
"If we had heard anything based on where our room was, and asked if we had heard any noises, arguing, seen anybody," said another guest Jillian Rosenfeld.
Two Falmouth schools sheltered in place. Students from one of them were taken by bus to the high school at a safer distance, where parents were notified to pick them up early.
Hours later, police cleared the hotel. "We conducted an investigation here and have concluded that the suspects are not here and the investigation will continue on the island," said Chief Dunne.
He said there was no danger to anyone on Cape Cod. State and local police and the FBI are all still focused on the scene in Martha's Vineyard. Police say they're checking all ferries and private boats.
"The matter is under investigation and we are working with the authorities," Rockland Trust spokesperson Emily McDonald said in a statement to WBZ-TV. "Our relationship with our customers, employees, and communities is our top priority and their safety is critically important to us. We will continue to apply stringent security measures to safeguard their well-being."