Rhode Island Man Charged With Somerville Armed Bank Robbery

Three weeks after a suspect shot at a police officer and fled from an armed bank robbery in Somerville, officials have arrested and charged a Providence, Rhode Island, man in connection with the incident.

The U.S. attorney's office said in a statement that Daniel Rosado, 32, was 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. Rosado is expected to appear in Boston federal court on Thursday.

The U.S. attorney's office says on May 1, Rosado went into the Middlesex Federal Savings Bank on College Avenue. Officials say Rosado brandished a handgun, fired a shot into the ceiling, and pointed the gun at bank employees and customers. As they all lay on the ground, Rosado demanded a teller fill up a backpack with money.

A bank customer was able to leave and flagged down a uniformed Somerville police officer, who went into the bank and pointed his gun at Rosado, telling him to freeze. Officials say Rosado pointed his gun at the officer and fired one shot; the officer shot back. The officer was not shot.

Rosado fled the building, with officers following him on foot. He collided with Somerville resident Dave Powers, causing Rosado to drop his backpack, which contained a loaded gun with four unfired rounds and more than $500.

Officials say Rosado was eventually able to get away from the scene. Residents of the area were advised to remain indoors as officers inspected the area.

Officials were able to link Rosado, who has prior felony convictions, to the robbery after using DNA from his backpack.

"Thanks to the extraordinary courage of a concerned citizen, who attempted to tackle Rosado, causing him to drop his backpack, we were able to determine his identity," Joseph Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the Boston FBI, said in the statement.

If convicted, Rosado could face up to 25 years or more in prison.