Police Shoot Bank Robbery Suspect In Arlington
ARLINGTON (CBS) - Arlington police have one bank robber in custody, his accomplice is in the hospital in serious condition after police opened fire on them in broad daylight. Investigators say the men had just held up Leader Bank in Arlington.
Arriving at the scene officers were given a good description of the suspects and the vehicle they fled in. After a brief pursuit, police say the officers approached the vehicle and at that time, one of the suspects brandished a firearm in their direction. One of the officers immediately drew his service weapon and fired at the suspect striking him.
"These are two armed felons," said police Chief Frederick Ryan. "Officers bravely hunted them down and saw a firearm."
Resident Michael Conlon said the gunfire broke out a mere 20 feet from his Brooks Avenue apartment. "All of a sudden I knew it was gunfire. Ten rounds went off in the course of one second," he tells WBZ-TV.
He took a picture of a handcuffed suspect on the ground surrounded by police, a second suspect hit by gunfire. It was all too close for him. "I proceeded to prepare myself in case they decided to flee on foot into my building."
Police have identified the wounded suspect as 36-year-old James Riley of Quincy who was in serious condition. His accomplice, 25-year-old Shawn Bambushew of Everett has a previous bank robbery on his record, according to police.
The Arlington police officer involved in the shooting was hospitalized for stress. The details of how the gunfire unfolded is still being investigated.
