Canton Police, FBI Arrested Suspect in Rash of Robberies Across the State

The FBI, Canton Police and Andover Police , 26, of Peabody–the suspect in the last week–while he was allegedly casing Eastern Bank on Main Street in Andover on Tuesday night, according to Andover Police Lt. Harry Collins and Canton Police Chief Ken Berkowitz.

He was caught "going into a bank putting Band-Aids on his fingers" to conceal his fingerprints and with the same note he used in the similar bank robberies across the state, said Tuesday night.

Andover Police said that Decareau was arrested as a result of a lengthy investigation by the FBI. Andover Police and FBI agents apprehended Decareau outside of a bank on Main Street in Andover yesterday and have both him and his female accomplice in custody.

"The girlfriend, Jenifer Sannizzaro, was arrested with him," Canton Police Lt. Helena Findlen said. "She was charged with attempt to commit a crime, as of this point. He was charged with multiple unarmed robberies and motor vehicle infractions."

Canton Police said the girlfriend and a baby were in a car waiting for Decareau at the time of the arrest.

Findlen said Decareau is originally from Saugus but "was bedding down" in Peabody. The girlfriend is from Gloucester.

Both Decareau and his female accomplice were arrested for "attempting to commit a crime" by Andover Police and were arraigned in Lawrence District Court Wednesday morning.

In addition to Salem's bank robbery, Decareau is being eyed as a suspect in the following robberies:

• April 25, 2011: TD Banknorth, 470 Main St., Reading
• May 3, 2011: East Boston Savings Bank, 1755 Revere Beach Parkway, Everett
• May 9, 2011: Eastern Bank, 771 Salem St., Lynnfield
• May 19, 2011: Eastern Bank, 441 Main St., Melrose
• May 25, 2011: Bank of Canton, 259 Turnpike St., Canton

said the suspect is currently of "interest" in the May 15 crime.

"We were notified of a suspect fitting the description of our suspect committing a robbery in that area," a member of SPD said. "We met with the FBI and other state and local police departments."

In a May 20 announcement, the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force described the suspect as a "serial bank robber." Most, if not all of the crimes, featured the suspect passing a note to a teller threatening harm while not actually showing a weapon, and then fleeing on foot.