On Saturday, local police made an arrest in connection to Thursday's bank robbery at Rockland Trust branch.
Ray Ewing

Police Make Arrest in Rockland Trust Heist

One person has been arrested in connection with the armed robbery of the Rockland Trust bank in Vineyard Haven that took place Thursday morning and resulted in an intensive search and investigation.

One person has been arrested in connection with the armed robbery of the Rockland Trust bank in Vineyard Haven that took place Thursday morning and resulted in an intensive search and investigation.

In an email to the Gazette Saturday evening, Cape and Islands district attorney spokesperson Tara Miltimore confirmed an arrest had been made in relation to the robbery.

Scene on Thursday at Rockland Trust.
Ray Ewing
Scene on Thursday at Rockland Trust.
Ray Ewing

“There has been an arrest of one individual in connection with the robbery of the Rockland Trust bank,” she wrote. “The investigation is ongoing and active.”

Ms. Miltimore did not confirm the time or location of the arrest, nor did she divulge the arresting authority.

The robbery took place Thursday morning just after 8 a.m. Three armed suspects entered the Rockland Trust Vineyard Haven branch, tying up bank employees and fleeing the scene in a vehicle that belonged to a bank teller, police told the Gazette at the scene. Police said the suspects wore masks and gloves, and were armed with handguns.

No one at the bank was hurt during the robbery, Rockland Trust spokesperson Emily McDonald told the Gazette.

“There were no injuries and everyone is safe,” she wrote in an email Friday.

The robbery sparked a manhunt, with local, state and federal officials swarming the Island. The canine unit was also brought in but the robbers remained at large into Saturday.

Manhunt included a search of the state forest.
Ray Ewing
Manhunt included a search of the state forest.
Ray Ewing

On Thursday evening police surrounded a Holiday Inn in Falmouth but later confirmed their investigation at the hotel did not turn up any leads connected to the robbery.

The robbery closed most banks on Martha’s Vineyard Thursday, and led to Island-wide school lockdowns and an early dismissal. While the Vineyard Haven branch remains closed, all other Rockland Trust locations on Island reopened alongside other Island banks Friday morning.

 

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/19/2022 - 18:12

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John Q. Public The Vineyard

Thank you all Island Law Enforcement agencies. You are all supported. I'm certain at times on this Island it does not feel that way. Great work by all involved so far. There are multitudes who pray you all go home from your jobs safe and sound. As far as the alleged perpetrators go.. It's time to roll and Why do you think they call it dope. Give it up fool.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 11/20/2022 - 08:18

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Akos Szilvasi West Tisbury - Cambridge

I got the idea late (this morning) that when something like this robbery or other crime happens, police could send out a mass SMS message asking drivers, who have dash cams in their cars, for the relevant footage. As an incentive they ought to offer overlooking minor traffic violations. I was on the island that morning waiting for the 8:15 AM ferry. My camera's card is probably overwritten by now but if there is anything from that day I will submit to the police.

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