Reports: 'Merrimack Valley Bandit' Suspect Apprehended

After allegedly robbing more than a dozen banks in the Merrimack Valley, southern New Hampshire and Maine, a suspect in the "Merrimack Valley Bandit" case has been apprehended in Salem, N.H.

Salem Police Lt. Steve Malisos said that Rafael Beamud Jr. of Lowell was puled over on a traffic stop near Home Depot and then identified as the man federal authorities have been looking for.

"One of our detectives was the one who was able to ID him through photos, and we contacted Massachusetts authorities," Malisos said. "He was never brought to station, he was transferred over to the FBI."

On the Methuen Police Department Facebook Page Tuesday night, Chief Joseph Solomon posted:

"Breaking News The Merrimack Valley Bandit is in custody. He was arrested tonight by task force members MPD, FBI, NAPD, Salem NH PD @MPDBlotter @NoAndoverPolice @FBIBoston. To be charged federally in the am."

Solomon added:

"A well deserved Thank You to Det Delano the task force leader and all the task force partners from the federal state and local depts from Mass, NH and Maine. Thank u all for your hard work and dedication. Chief Solomon"

Beamud allegedly robbed more than a dozen banks in the area in the past three months, from the Lowell area out to southern Maine, using a small handgun.

The FBI formed a task force with local police departments asked the public to check out photos of the robber on their website and contact police with any information.

Check with Patch for further information.

UPDATE: Beamud was arrested in Salem, N.H., earlier this year on drug charges, as reported by Salem Patch. He was charged with felony possession of a controlled drug (cocaine) and transportation of a controlled drug (cocaine) in a Salem school parking lot.

Beamud is also a suspect in a 2012 arson in which his own Salem home burned to the ground.