Massachusetts Law Enforcement Agencies Announce the Arrest of Serial Bank Robbers

In a joint investigation, Massachusetts police departments from Reading, Lynnfield, Salem, Melrose, Canton, Braintree, Andover, Peabody, Tewksbury, and Gloucester, along with the Massachusetts State Police and FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force, arrested a man and woman who were suspected of allegedly robbing a series of banks. Christopher Decareau, DOB 7/20/1984, of Peabody, Massachusetts, was arrested on May 31, 2011, at approximately 5:00 p.m. near a branch of Eastern Bank located at 60 Main Street, Andover, Massachusetts. His alleged accomplice, Jenifer Sannizzaro, DOB 4/23/1987, of Gloucester, Massachusetts, was arrested nearby.

On May 20, 2011, the FBI issued a press release requesting the public’s assistance to identify an individual who was allegedly responsible for a series of bank robberies in Eastern Massachusetts from April 25, 2011 through May 19, 2011. Subsequently, a tip from the public led to the identification of Decareau as a person of interest. The two had been under surveillance by law enforcement agencies prior to their arrest.

Decareau and Sannizzaro are expected to make an initial appearance in Lawrence District Court today.

The individuals who were arrested are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.