Medford Police Arrest Suspected Bank Robber

Suspect Attempts to Flee, Gets Stuck in Traffic

– Allison Goldsberry

Next time a bank robbery occurs, the suspect might want to reconsider fleeing the scene through Wellington Circle during rush hour.

That’s what 35-year-old Malden resident Erik McPherson attempted after allegedly robbing the Eagle Bank inside Johnnie’s Foodmaster in Haines Square.

According to Medford Police, on Thursday, April 30 Officers Derek Doherty, Michael Pellegrino, and Guy Champa were on the scene of a car accident on Route 60 right outside Johnnie’s when a call came in for an armed robbery at Eagle Bank. Officer Pellegrino went into the bank to talk to witnesses while Officers Champa and Doherty started sweeping the area, on the lookout for a white male suspect driving a maroon pick-up truck.

Officer Doherty spotted such a truck on Route 28 in Wellington Circle, heading onto Route 16 East. The cops attempted to pull over the truck, which pulled into the parking lot near Walgreen’s at Station Landing. As soon as Officers Doherty and Champa pulled behind the suspect, he fled the scene at a high rate of speed and continued on Route 16 East.

Unfortunately for the suspect, he did not get very far.  Traffic ground to a halt on Route 16 in Everett near the Gateway Mall, at which point the police were able to arrest the suspect and recover evidence from the scene.

McPherson is charged with armed robbery, failure to stop for a police officer, and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.