Citizens Bank Robbed Thursday Morning

Police say Brian Valente, 32, of Medford, robbed Citizens Bank on Spring Street Thursday morning. Courtesy photo.

– Allison Goldsberry

A Medford man is being charged with armed robbery after allegedly robbing Citizens Bank on Spring Street on Thursday morning.

Brian Joseph Valente, 32, was arrested shortly after fleeing the bank on foot around 10:00AM Thursday. An alert witness flagged down Officer Carl Brooks, who happened to be on patrol in a marked cruiser in the area. The witness was able to point to the fleeing suspect and Officer Brooks ended up chasing after Valente and eventually arresting him after a brief struggle. Officer Brooks chased Valente on foot up Spring Street Extension from Lambert Street, with Valente running in the direction of his apartment on the Fellsway.

Police say Valente was armed with a knife, which he ditched as he fled from the scene. It was later recovered by police.

“Thanks to the quick action of Officer Brooks, and equally as important those witnesses that had the wherewithal to stay calm, observe, and alert the police without trying to interfere or put themselves in harm’s way, a bank robber was apprehended. Also, a job well done by the employees of the bank who handled this situation with a calm, cool, collective manor in the most professional way possible,” said Medford Police Lieutenant Paul Covino in a statement.