DARTMOUTH — Police charged two New Bedford men with robbing the St. Anne's Credit Union on State Road yesterday.
Department spokesman Lt. Ken Cotta said the bank robbery was the fourth this year in Dartmouth.
"We're seeing a lot of bank robberies this year, which is unusual," he said. He added that they were committed at different banks, and do not appear to be connected. "There's nothing to suggest that."
Around the holidays, police usually see a surge in bank robberies, the lieutenant said.
In the most recent case, police were actually expecting the robbery. The New Bedford police obtained information that gave them reason to suspect a robbery in the area, Lt. Cotta said, although he said he could not elaborate on the source of the information.
The New Bedford department shared its suspicions with Dartmouth, Lt. Cotta said, and police in Dartmouth and Westport had several bank locations staked out yesterday.
One of the Dartmouth units spotted two men believed to be suspects — later identified as David Frates, 27, of 208 State St. and David DeMello, 25, of 81 Austin St. — and began tailing the white 1997 Mercury Marquis the men were riding in. It passed several banks before parking in a lot adjacent to St. Anne's Credit Union at about 10:43 a.m., Lt. Cotta said.
The officers watched as Mr. DeMello got out of the car, wearing a hat and sunglasses, and went into the bank. Moments later, they saw him run back to the Marquis, which took off. Police called the bank to confirm that it was robbed and took off in pursuit.
After Dartmouth and New Bedford cruisers followed the Marquis a short distance on Route 6, and stopped it near the North Dartmouth Mall. Police said Mr. DeMello ran from the car, but officers caught him when he tried and failed to jump a fence in the rear of Ralph's Chevrolet.
Officer believed they found the money taken from the bank near the fence, Lt. Cotta said.
Bank employees told police the robber entered the bank and handed a teller a note demanding money, but did not show a weapon.
Both men were charged with unarmed robbery.
Contact Rob Margetta
at rmargetta@s-t.com.
Date of Publication: November 28, 2006 on Page A07
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