The Melrose Police Department announces that a suspect has been charged with an armed robbery at a Main Street bank on Monday morning.

RICHARD VALENTI, AGE 32, OF BEVERLY, was arrested and charged with:

• Armed Robbery with a Firearm (Subsequent Offense)

On Monday at 10:17 a.m., Melrose Police responded to Bank of America at 690 Main St., Melrose, for a report of a possible robbery.

Officers arrived and learned from a teller that a suspect had entered the bank and demanded cash from a teller, while also motioning toward his waist, in an apparent reference to possibly having a firearm or other weapon.

The teller gave the suspect a quantity of cash, at which point the suspect fled the building on foot. Shortly thereafter, the suspect returned to the bank and demanded more cash, which the teller provided, before the suspect fled again toward the area of Lebanon Street.

The suspect was described as a white male, about 5 feet, 10 inches tall, missing a front tooth and wearing a leather jacket and knit hat.

Melrose Police officers conducted a canvas of the surrounding areas and learned that a suspicious male had been seen at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital. Subsequently, officers located an individual who matched the suspect’s description and who was reported to be acting suspicious. The man, later identified as VALENTI, was allegedly holding a gray hat filled with cash.

The suspect was then placed into custody.

“The quick, attentive and professional response of investigating officers helped us locate and secure a potentially dangerous suspect before anyone was harmed,” said Chief Lyle. “I am pleased that we were able to detain and charge this suspect without additional incident.”

VALENTI is being held at the Melrose Police Department pending arraignment Tuesday in Malden District Court.

This incident remains under active investigation, with the involvement of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“I want to thank the members of the Melrose Police Department for their quick action and professionalism in apprehending the suspect quickly and safely,” said Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur. “They did an outstanding job.”

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.