East Boston Savings Bank Robbed; Manhunt Underway

(Editor's note: this article was updated at 4:50 p.m.)

A man robbed the East Boston Savings Bank branch in Melrose today, leading to a police chase and a hunt for the robber still underway.

According to a press release from Melrose Police Lt. Mark DeCroteau, police responded to a 911 call at approximately 1:30 p.m. followed by an alarm notification of a bank robbery from East Boston Savings Bank at 108 Main St.

The robber, described as a white male, in his mid-30s, bald and wearing sunglasses, entered the bank and passed a note to a teller demanding money, the press release stated. The man fled on foot toward the nearby Oak Grove MBTA station in Malden after taking an undetermined amount of cash.

A coordinated search of the area began between Melrose Police, Malden Police and MBTA transit police. A further investigation involving the FBI/Massachusetts State Police Bank Robbery Task Force is ongoing at this time.

John Perillo, East Boston Savings Bank's Melrose branch manager, politely declined to answer questions and directed media inquiries to the East Boston Savings Bank corporate offices, which closed at 4:30 p.m. and no one could be immediately reached for comment.

An earlier media report incorrectly stated that the robbery occurred at the Eastern Bank branch at 441 Main St. in Melrose. Assistant Manager Durria Syeda told Melrose Patch that report was incorrect.

This is breaking news; keep checking Melrose Patch for further updates.