Bank robbery suspect found under porch

WOLCOTT, Conn, (WTNH) -- Two schools in Wolcott went into lockdown after a man with an extensive criminal record robbed a local bank at gunpoint.

Police were called to the TD Bank located at 826 Wolcott Rd. at 8:10 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Witnesses say the man, later identified as 35-year-old William Raymond, ran into the bank, demanded money and then took off with $3,169 in cash.

Police caught up with Raymond driving his Chevy pick up truck on Mad River Road a short time later.  Officers say when Raymond spotted them, he sped up and then failed to make a turn, thereby crashing his car.

Raymond then ran into a wooded area.

A short time later, an animal control officer spotted him heading towards Wolcott High School and Alcott Grammar School. The school superintendent was notified and both schools went into lockdown as a precaution.

Officers caught up with Raymond behind a house on Lorenz Drive, where he was trying to hide under a rear porch.

Officer are searching for the gun used in the robbery, which Raymond claims was fake. All the stolen money, as well as the clothes he wore in the robbery were recovered.

No one was injured in either the robbery or the chase.

Raymond was charged with first degree robbery, third degree larceny, and criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Police say Raymond, who has been arrested 17 times since 1994, has an extensive record including robberies, larcenies, escape, burglaries, violations of probations, failure to appears, and threatening.  

He was held on a $500,000 bond.