Community Corner

Stories of the Year: Merrimack Hit by 3 Bank Robbers

Join us as we count down some of the most read stories in Merrimack in 2013.

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Carolyn Dube, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge

It's the end of the year and that means it's time to count down some of the top stories to hit Merrimack Patch this year (local stories of the year below). 

It's been a newsy year around the country as Sandy Hook students returned to school in a new location following the tragic shooting at the end of 2012. In April, two bomb blast created chaos and terror at the finish line of the Boston Marathon killing three and injuring hundreds who lost limbs, suffered serious burns and shrapnel wounds and a plethora of other injuries. Days later, an MIT police officer was killed and his friend was critically injured late that night in a shootout with the bombing suspects. 

We saw a country unite behind the city whose baseball team, months later earned its third World Series win in nine years. 

Outside of New England, we saw George Zimmerman acquitted of murdering Trayvon Martin, and Jodi Arias was found guilty of murdering boyfriend Travis Alexander. A royal baby was born in July and the President Obama-led Affordable Care Act went into effect.

Over the days leading up to the end of the year, we'll choose a story or topic a day that has generated the most buzz in town this year. Check back each morning as we bring you back through 2013.

Bank Robbers Strike 3 Banks in 4 Months

It had been three years since Merrimack had a bank robbery when a still unknown man dressed in a suit and purportedly carrying a homemade explosive device walked into People's United Bank in Pennichuck Square on June 14 and demanded money from the teller. 

Police still don't know who this bank robber is, and continue seeking leads to identify him. Police think he lives out of the area, which would explain why no one recognizes the man in the relatively clear surveillance photos released following the robbery.

On Aug. 21, TD Bank, 300 Daniel Webster Highway, was hit by a bank robber toting a shotgun that he pointed at tellers as he demanded money. Less than a week later, Merrimack Police arrested Frank Mione, 47, of 16 Birchwood Lane, Milford, was charging him with robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm, both felonies. But Mione's criminal history is extensive and dates back at least to 1990, when he was convicted of robbery in New York state. He is also the suspected wheelman behind a string of bank robberies in New York City that resulted in the arrest of 20-year-old Maverick Madore, also of Milford.

Then, on Sept. 11, a man dress in a sports coat and jeans wearing a mask bearing the likeness of President Barack Obama, walked into the Bank of America in the old Shaw's plaza on Daniel Webster Highway and told tellers he was there "to make an unscheduled withdrawal."

John Robert Griffin, 53, of Newport, was allegedly armed with a load 9 mm Keltec semi-automatic handgun during this incident, however he did not show the weapon, according to police reports from that day. He has been charged with two counts of robbery, one charge of theft by unauthorized taking and one charge of carrying  concealed weapon.

Griffin got out of the bank with the money, but was apprehended when police found him attempting to flee in his truck parked not far from the bank. According to court documents, he left the bank with $17,000.

Both Mione and Griffin have been indicted on their respective charges.

Griffin, earlier this month, sought to have his bail reduced but the request was denied. 

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