Second man arraigned in connection with the Martha's Vineyard bank robbery. What we know
Omar Johnson, 39, of Edgartown was arraigned in Edgartown District Court Friday morning in connection with the Rockland Trust bank robbery in Vineyard Haven on Nov. 17.
Johnson is charged with armed and masked robbery and conspiracy to commit armed and masked robbery, according to court documents. Bail was set at $300,000 with the condition that he must wear a GPS tracking device and stay away from the Rockland Trust bank if released, according to the clerk’s office. A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Dec. 29.
Another man, Miquel A Jones, 30, of Canterbury, N.H. was arraigned on Nov. 21 in the same court in connection with the robbery. Jones was charged with armed and masked robbery, conspiracy to commit armed and masked robbery, and accessory after the fact, according to court documents.
His bail was also set at $300,000, and he must wear a GPS tracking device, stay away from the Rockland Trust bank, and maintain an 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. curfew if released, according to the clerk’s office. A probable cause hearing was set for Jones for Dec. 12.
Both men entered pleas of not guilty.
Three individuals robbed the Rockland Trust bank in Vineyard Haven
On Thursday, Nov. 17, around 8:15 a.m., the Rockland Trust bank in Vineyard Haven was robbed by three people at gunpoint. Robbers, wearing dark clothing, and masks resembling an elderly man with exaggerated features, forced themselves through the rear of the bank, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Robbers were armed with semi-automatic handguns and bound bank employees with plastic ties and duct tape, said Assistant District Attorney Michael Giardino at Jones’ arraignment. They stole approximately $39,100 by forcing a teller to open a vault at gunpoint, according to the Department of Justice. They stole a vehicle from a teller, later driving it to Manuel F. Correllus State Forest next to Martha’s Vineyard Airport where they abandoned it around 8:30 a.m.
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A dark blue Hyundai Elantra, which was likely involved in the robbery, was seen on surveillance video leaving the parking lot, said Giardino. Jones and Johnson were identified as suspects by law enforcement through the investigation, according to the Department of Justice.
Miquel A Jones was arrested on Nov. 18 after he was stopped by police while driving a dark blue Hyundai Elantra. Johnson was arrested on Nov. 26 during a car stop in New Haven, Connecticut.
When he was arrested, Jones had a green vegetation like substance on his shoes, according to the arraignment report. The same substance was found in the stolen vehicle abandoned at the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest. A search of the Hyundai also found three $100 bills and clothing like the ones worn by the armed robbers.
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A search of Johnson’s home found a black handgun, and a search of his vehicle found paperwork of a $700 money transfer to Jamaica, and $4,100 in cash deposits to a bank in Connecticut, according to the Department of Justice.
The charge of armed bank robbery can come with up to 25 years of prison, five years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine, according to the Department of Justice.
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Martha's Vineyard man arraigned for Rockland Trust bank robbery
