SALISBURY, Mass. — Police are still trying to find the suspect in a robbery that happened Monday in York, Maine, and spanned three states, but there is no active ground search at this time.
Police say the chain of events began over the weekend when a man approached staff at a Newburyport CVS and demanded prescription drugs. Then Monday morning, a suspect with the same description robbed Bangor Savings Bank at 460 US Route and left with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Police say the suspect is 34-year-old Brandon Simmons, who has a history with Salisbury Police. No weapon was shown during the bank robbery. But Massachusetts State Police said the suspect claimed to have a bomb.
Police say, shortly after they deemed the chase too dangerous to continue, the suspect crashed into a truck on Route 110 in Salisbury and took off on foot. The other driver was taken to the hospital but is expected to be okay.
“I heard this ungodly crash. It sounded like a bomb,” said Salisbury resident Patti O’Connor. “I was worried that he was hurt, and the next thing I heard was a cop saying ‘Put the gun down, put the gun down,’ and I went back in the house.”
“We just ran in the house and locked ourselves in,” said Salisbury resident Lisa Harrington.
As if the neighborhood wasn’t scared enough, police say Simmons was able to get away, running behind the homes, and at one point, it appears he tried to carjack the driver of an SUV but failed.
Authorities had been searching in the area of Route 1 and Pleasant Street. Shortly before 9 p.m. Monday, state police tweeted the search was concluding for the night, and the investigation into the suspect’s whereabouts is ongoing.
JUST IN: Salisbury Police Chief, Thomas Fowler, with an update on the search for robbery suspect Brandon Simmons who is still at large, not believed to be armed. Simmons’ brother is also urging him to turn himself in, per police. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/uor5TRVTKQ
— Evan White (@EvanWhiteIII) November 2, 2021
Tuesday morning, Salisbury Police were reviewing surveillance video and images provided by neighbors near the intersection where the crash happened. They are asking others with evidence to share it.
“We’re following up leads. We’re not sure where he got to last evening,” said Chief Thomas Fowler.
Aside from Salisbury, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Seabrook, New Hampshire Police are also involved in the search, according to Fowler.
Police say the suspect is wearing a jacket with a dark/light pattern, possibly camo-style.
State police say he is also a suspect in a robbery in Newburyport on Saturday.
Police say he claimed to have a bomb.
“We were asked to exit my house because there was a possible chance of a bomb being in the van that was involved,” said O’Connor.
The Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad cleared the van of explosives. The Bomb Squad also searched a motel room linked to Simmons and found no explosives.
Patrols, K9 units are searching for suspect who fled on foot after crashing during a pursuit, area of Route 1 and Pleasant Street in #Salisbury. Residents of that area are asked to use caution and call 911 if you see anyone suspicious. Active investigation.
— Salisbury Police (@SalisburyPolice) November 1, 2021
UPDATE Suspect also claimed to have a bomb during #York robbery, which was a bank. For that reason MSP Bomb Squad also responding to conduct examination of suspect vehicle and assist as needed when suspect is found.
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) November 1, 2021
Residents should continue to practice caution. https://t.co/zlJf3Lm8BY
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