New Bedford Man Indicted For Armed Bank Robbery

BOSTON – A New Bedford man was charged today with the armed robbery of a New Bedford credit union.

David A. Frates, 36, was charged with armed bank robbery. The indictment alleges that on Sept. 24, 2013, an individual, later determined to be Frates, entered the St. Anne’s Credit Union in New Bedford. Once inside, Frates, who was wearing a translucent mask and gloves, brandished what appeared to be a black semi-automatic firearm and demanded cash. The tellers handed Frates $1,098 which he stuffed inside an orange bag before fleeing the bank. A witness stated that Frates was wearing a gray sweatshirt with the words, “Bristol Community College” imprinted on the front. Following an investigation, Frates was arrested and officers recovered the gray sweatshirt, the translucent mask, an orange bag, and a black BB gun.

If convicted, Frates faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and $1,098 in restitution to St. Anne’s Credit Union.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Chief David Provencher of the New Bedford Police Department, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Kenneth G. Shine of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.

The details contained in the Indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.