Fall River Police arrest man for two recent bank robberies, stabbing

Fall River Police have made an arrest concerning a recent stabbing and two bank robberies.

According to Captain Barden Castro, on Monday, officers assigned to the Uniform Division responded to the Fall River BankFive Savings Bank branch at 79 North Main Street due to an attempted robbery.

On scene, Ofc. Jonathan Souza was able to view surveillance footage of a male who entered the bank and passed a note to a teller demanding money. Ofc. Souza recognized the suspect as 57-year-old Jesse Pritchard, who was suspected of committing last week’s stabbing in the 100 block of Nashua Street.

The suspect’s information was broadcast to all Fall River Police personnel. As the investigation continued at the Five Cents Savings Bank, Ofc. Matthew Rezendes began to check the area for Pritchard who was last seen walking down North Main Street. Ofc. Rezendes was at BayCoast Bank, 490 Robeson St., when he spotted Pritchard leaving that bank and walking quickly down the sidewalk. Ofc. Rezendes attempted to stop Pritchard who upon seeing the officer fled on foot into backyards.

After a short foot chase, Ofc. Rezendes and Ofc. Marques Pires were able to place Pritchard under arrest. Two knives were recovered from Pritchard during the arrest.

It was later determined that while inside of BayCoast Bank, Pritchard handed a bank teller a note demanding money. He had fled with a still undetermined amount of money. Pritchard will be charged with incidents taking place at the two banks as well as the Nashua Street stabbing.

Pritchard is being charged with Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon Serious Injury, Armed Assault to Rob, and Armed Robbery.