Somerville bank robbery suspect arrested in RI after 3-week manhunt

BOSTON — The man accused of robbing a Somerville bank and shooting at police officers has been arrested in Providence, Rhode Island, officials say.

Following a manhunt that spanned 22 days, police arrested the suspect, Daniel Rosado, 32, of Providence, at around 6:30 a.m. in that city on May 23, according to law enforcement sources.

Rosado is accused of robbing the Middlesex Federal Savings Bank in Davis Square on May 1. The FBI had doubled a reward to $20,000 about a week after the robbery for information leading to the man's capture.

Court documents allege Rosado entered the Middlesex Federal Savings Bank in Davis Square brandishing a gun and firing one shot into the ceiling as he demanded money. He threw a black backpack at one of the tellers and instructed the teller to fill it with money.

A customer, who was able to sneak out the bank during the robbery, flagged down a police officer nearby. The officer entered the bank and pointed his gun at Rosado, who then fired a shot at the officer and fled on foot.

As the officer chased after Rosado down College Avenue, a bystander tackled Rosado, causing him to drop his backpack. That bystander was Dave Powers, a software developer from Somerville.

It was through the items found inside the backpack, a Webley revolver, loaded with four unfired rounds of ammunition, and two cartridge casings, as well as more than $500, that law enforcement was able to identify Rosado, according to the complaint.

"I was kind of replaying my actions of whether I didn’t do enough or shouldn’t have done anything but given the outcome, I’m pleased with the outcome given the information I had at hand," said Powers.

Forensic analysis of the backpack linked the DNA profile found on the backpack to Rosado's DNA profile in the Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS, according to the complaint. A review of his driver's license photo matched the images of the suspect from surveillance cameras inside the bank.

Read the complaint >>

Court records show Rosado has prior felony convictions in Massachusetts, including negligent operation of a motor vehicle, larceny from a person and witness intimidation, and assault by means of a dangerous weapon. Due to these prior convictions, Rosado is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

Rosado is being charged with one count of armed bank robbery, one count of brandishing and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

He was arraigned in federal court in Boston Thursday afternoon where he was ordered held and is due back on May 31.

If convicted on all counts and given the maximum sentences, Rosado could be sentenced to life in prison.

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