Alleged Natick Bank Robber Is Framingham Firefighter

NATICK, MA—A Framingham firefighter has been arrested after a half-day search following the reported robbery of Citizens Bank in Natick.

Around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, detectives from Natick and Framingham arrested 34-year-old Framingham man Michael Joseph Espinosa for allegedly robbing the Citizens Bank inside the Natick Stop 'n' Shop. Espinosa was taken into custody near his home and scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Natick District Court for armed robbery.

Espinosa was arraigned Friday in Framingham District Court and charged with armed robbery in connection with an alleged Natick bank robbery, announced Middlesex DA Marian Ryan, who added that Espinosa is a firefighter with the Framingham Fire Department. Chief Joseph Hicks immediately placed Espinosa on paid administrative leave, pending further personnel action in accordance with Espinosa’s civil service rights.
Judge Martine Carroll ordered the defendant held without bail pending a 58A dangerousness hearing scheduled for Nov. 16. Carroll also ordered the defendant to surrender all firearms to the Framingham Police Department.

Espinosa has been employed with the Town of Framingham since August of 2008 and his annual base salary is $58,803.03 per year as a firefighter, said Nichol Figueiredo, Framingham's public information and records access officer

On Nov. 9, around 11:14 a.m., Espinosa is alleged to have entered Citizens on Worcester Street wearing sunglasses and a hat, and approached the counter demanding cash from the bank tellers. He allegedly told the tellers that he was armed with gun. The tellers then allegedly gave the defendant approximately $1,000 in cash. Through surveillance footage, Natick Police allegedly identified the Espinosa's motor vehicle. A search warrant executed on the defendant’s home allegedly located clothing that matched those worn during the bank robbery, including the hat and sunglasses.

"We wish to express our thanks to the Metrowest Drug Task Force for the development of much of the information that was being forwarded from the community," wrote Natick police. "Without the tips received from the community we would not have been able to reach such a quick resolution and it is greatly appreciated."

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