Two would-be bank robbers were stopped in their tracks in Somerville last week. — Photos by John Gardner

By Jim Clark

Police arrested two men last week as they made their way to Rockland Trust Bank at 399 Highland Ave., allegedly intent on committing an armed robbery there.

Edwin O’Grady, 55, of New Boston, New Hampshire, and an as of yet unidentified accomplice were stopped before they entered the bank last Thursday at approximately 10:55 a.m.

O’Grady has reportedly been under surveillance by FBI Bank Robbery Task Force for several months after they received information that he was planning robberies at several banks in the Greater Boston area.

On Wednesday, September 24, the Task Force learned that O’Grady was casing the Rockland Trust Bank in Somerville. That evening, O’Grady and his accomplice were observed driving to Woburn, where they changed vehicles and then went to Somerville and parked approximately 100 yards away from the bank.

The suspects were taken to jail by authorities shortly after being apprehended.

The two men were reportedly observed walking around the bank, pointing out surveillance cameras, and later drove around the area, apparently planning escape routes, according to police.

The next morning, the day of the attempted holdup, the two men were observed leaving O’Grady’s residence in the same vehicle they were in the night before. O’Grady was reportedly observed putting a bandana over his face as they made their way to Woburn, where O’Grady’s accomplice picked up another vehicle which he used to follow his partner into Somerville.

The two men parked their vehicles on Lesley and Grove Streets, then made their way on foot to the Rockland Trust Bank. They were reportedly wearing gloves, hats, and bandanas over their faces and carrying a bag.

Somerville Police, working in conjunction with Massachusetts State Police and the FBI Task Force closed in before the two suspects got inside the bank.

Both men were placed under arrest. O’Grady has been formally charged with attempt to commit a crime of armed robbery. He was arraigned in court on Friday.