Two men face bank robbery charges; links probed to other heists

By OWEN BOSS

Staff Writer

SPRINGFIELD - Police are investigating whether two men arrested for allegedly robbing two banks in Springfield and Ludlow Friday morning could be connected to a string of recent local bank robberies.

Jesus Ashanti, 34, and Yannick Fanis, 26, both of Hartford, Conn., were arrested and charged with unarmed robbery after the duo allegedly robbed a TD North Bank in downtown Springfield and then a Citizens Bank in Ludlow less than an hour later.

At 9:30 a.m., Springfield police responded to the TD North branch on Chestnut Street, after it was reported that a black man, wearing a white hat and glasses, had snatched cash from a teller's drawer when attempting to make change for a $100 bill. After getting away with an undisclosed amount of money, tellers reportedly told police that they saw the man get into a blue sedan with a New York license plate.

Shortly after, at 10:21 a.m., Ludlow police were notified employees at the Citizens Bank on Center Street, after a black man, wearing glasses, a white hat and a gray sweatshirt reportedly handed the teller a note that read "This is a robbery" and demanded all the cash they had.

After he was given an undisclosed amount of cash, the man reportedly fled on foot toward Randall's Farm, a greenhouse and grocery store across the street.

Tellers also told police that a dye pack, hidden among the cash, had exploded and that the man may have left the scene in a small blue Chevy sedan.

After issuing a lookout notice for the vehicle to surrounding cities and towns, Springfield police pulled the pair over as they traveled south on Interstate 91.

One of the men, police said, was found to be wearing clothing matching the description of that provided by witnesses at the Ludlow robbery and cash covered in red dye was found in the trunk of the vehicle.

Similarities between Friday's robberies and a string of thefts from local banks last month have area police departments collaborating to look into whether they could somehow be connected.

"We're absolutely looking into all of the recent robberies. There have been a significant number of armed robberies in the area in the past few weeks, and right now we are working to see if we can tie any of them together," Springfield Lt. Kevin Wood said.

Last month, banks in Chicopee, South Hadley, Northampton and Agawam were allegedly robbed by a black man who was wearing assorted stylish hats and had a bright gray beard.

On Dec. 23, Gerund A. Mickens, 35, of Bloomfield, Conn., was arrested by police in West Springfield after he led police on a high-speed chase in a vehicle that matched the description of the one used in several of those robberies.

Mickens has since been charged with failure to stop for police, operating with a suspended license and reckless operation of a motor vehicle. Area police departments have been working together to see if Mickens can be connected to the string of thefts.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.