By Stephanie Grinnell

Staff Writer

Biddeford’s third bank robbery of the year came to a peaceful resolution when Saco Police Cpl. Michael Maksut detained and Biddeford police arrested Robert E. Patch, 46, of Scarborough, for the hold-up of the Maine Bank and Trust on Adams Street in Biddeford.

Patch’s name may be familiar to Scarborough residents, as he served on the town council from November 2003 through 2006. Town Manager Ron Owens said Patch served one term as a councilor.

“He was fairly quiet as a councilor,” Owens said, adding Patch never to his knowlegde was involved in controversy during his tenure on the council. He expressed surprise at Patch’s arrest. 

“It’s kind of a tragedy,” Owens said.

Patch missed a number of council meetings during the end of his term and did not remain active in town politics once his term was completed, Owens said. Owens said Patch cited family and health problems as contributing his absence from meetings. 

Patch worked as a contractor and builder, Owens said. 

According to a statement from Biddeford Deputy Police Chief JoAnne Fisk, Patch walked into the bank branch at 10:44 a.m. Once at the teller’s window, he produced a weapon and demanded money. The teller, whose name has not been released, complied with the request while simultaneously activating the alarm located inside her teller drawer. 

Police said bank officials were able to give an accurate description of Patch in addition to the license plate number and a vehicle description to emergency dispatchers, which resulted in a state wide teletype with the information. 

Following Patch’s arrest at approximately 11 a.m., he was processed by the Biddeford Police Department then turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

FBI Boston Media Affairs Representative Gail Marcinkiewicz said the FBI is handling the robbery because there was a weapon involved. She said Patch used an airsoft pistol, which uses a gas canister to fire plastic BBs. Marcinkiewicz said the type of weapon used doesn’t matter but if there is a weapon involved, the FBI takes over the investigation.

Patch made an initial appearance in federal court April 10 and was being held until his detention hearing April 15, Marcinkiewicz said. Following the detention hearing at the Edward T. Gignoux Federal Courthouse in Portland, Patch remained in federal custody, said Case Manager Susan Hall. She said bail was set at $10,000 unsecured funds and said his bail had not been posted as of Tuesday at noon. Further court dates have not yet been determined, Hall said.

Marcinkiewicz declined to disclose the amount of money taken during the robbery, which she said is standard practice.