Quick response leads to arrest in TD Bank robbery

Police say alleged bank robber Matthew Ireland drove into a snowbank and tried fleeing police on foot before he was arrested in Bedford.

MANCHESTER, NH — Matthew Ireland, 36, of Manchester, was arrested shortly after he allegedly robbed a TD Bank, thanks to a quick response by Manchester Police and an assist from Bedford Police.

Just after 9 a.m. on Jan. 31 Manchester Police responded to TD Bank, 70 Bay St., for a reported bank robbery.

A teller told police that a robber wearing a dark hooded jacket obscuring much of his face, and sunglasses, walked into the bank and handed her a note demanding cash. No weapon was shown.

The robber fled the area with an undisclosed amount of cash. Officers dispatched to investigate were able to view security footage and provided a description of the robber to patrol officers. An officer on the city’s West Side observed a suspect matching the description provided by police traveling in a vehicle southbound on S. Main Street into Bedford.

With the assistance of the Bedford Police Department a motor vehicle stop was initiated on South River Road in the area of Meetinghouse Road.

The driver of the vehicle attempted to flee police but lost control of his vehicle and became stuck in a snowbank. The driver then fled on foot but was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit. An undisclosed amount of money was recovered by police from the man who was identified as Matthew Ireland, 36, of 66 Mason St., Manchester.

Ireland was first taken to Bedford Police station and charged with disobeying a police officer, then transferred to the Manchester PD and charged with the bank robbery and disobeying a police officer.

According to an Associated Press report  Ireland served time for a 2008 Windham bank robbery.

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