RAYNHAM — Raynham Police Chief David LaPlante reports that the Raynham Police Department arrested and charged a Taunton man with bank robbery on Tuesday.
JOHN STONGE, AGE 57, OF TAUNTON, was arrested and charged with:
- Armed Robbery
- Making a False Bomb Threat
- Possession of a Hoax Incendiary Device
- Larceny Over $1,200
- Disorderly Conduct
- Disturbing the Peace
On Tuesday, March 12, at approximately 9:53 a.m., Raynham Police were notified of a robbery in progress at the Rockland Trust Bank, 275 New State Highway.
Officers arrived at the bank to learn that a male had entered the bank, approached a teller, and passed a note which demanded money and claimed that the male had a bomb. The male then fled in a small gray sport utility vehicle.
Officers located the suspect, later identified as STONGE, and the small gray SUV a short distance away from the bank. STONGE initially refused to stop for police and fled at a low rate of speed, before eventually pulling over.
STONGE was then taken into custody without further incident. A search of STONGE and his vehicle located cash that was stolen from the bank, as well as a brown electrical cord that was attached to a light switch made to look like an incendiary device.
STONGE was booked at the Raynham Police station and then taken to Taunton District Court for arraignment.
These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.