BOONTON, N.J. (Morris County) — A Massachusetts man has been arrested in connection with an armed robbery at a Chase Bank in Boonton and a second bank robbery in New Hampshire, federal authorities announced.
The FBI arrested Joseph Sawyer, 52, of Townsend, Massachusetts, on allegations that he robbed the Chase Bank, 530 Myrtle Ave., in Boonton on June 27 and St. Mary’s Bank in Nashua, New Hampshire, on June 12.
According to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire, Sawyer allegedly entered both banks while brandishing what appeared to be a black semiautomatic handgun, ordered everyone inside to get on the ground and surrender their cell phones before demanding money.
Federal authorities emphasized that the allegations are contained in a criminal complaint. Sawyer is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Boonton robbery occurred at approximately 1:57 p.m. June 27, when police responded to the Chase Bank after receiving a report of an armed robbery.
Investigators previously said the suspect entered the bank wearing a ski mask, sunglasses and gloves while displaying a pistol. Authorities said he demanded money before fleeing with approximately $12,000 in cash.
Police said the suspect left the area in a gray or silver Honda Odyssey.
The investigation was conducted by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Boonton Police Department and the FBI.
Sawyer was arrested Wednesday night by the FBI Albany SWAT Team after investigators from FBI Boston and the Nashua Police Department developed information indicating he might be in upstate New York.
The investigation also involved the FBI’s New Jersey office, the New Jersey State Police, New York State Police, Warren County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Attorneys’ offices for the District of New Jersey, the Northern District of New York, the District of Massachusetts and the District of New Hampshire.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire is prosecuting the case.
