Drug arrest made during search for Holyoke bank robber

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - Holyoke police made a drug arrest as they were searching for a bank robbery suspect downtown on Monday afternoon.

Police Lt. Isaias Cruz told 22News that the First Niagara Bank at High and Appleton Streets was robbed around 1:00 P.M. A nearby police officer saw what was happening and followed the suspect to the apartment building at 177 Elm Street.

By that time, police surrounded the apartment complex, Cruz says that five men began running away, one of them throwing away packets of heroin and cocaine. Police followed them to a fourth floor apartment, where they barricaded themselves inside. Police were able to get in, and arrested them.

Jose Beltran, 27, of Holyoke is charged with possession of heroin and cocaine with intent to distribute, as well as breaking and entering and intimidation of a witness. The other four suspects, Jose Maldonado, 18, of Holyoke, Luis Torres, 18, of Holyoke, Emmanuel Martinez, 22, of Holyoke, and Vicente Rodriguez, 20, of Puerto Rico were arrested on a charge of breaking and entering.

After making that arrest, police then received a call from a resident who told them where to find the bank robbery suspect. When police arrived,  they arrested James Cunha, 25, of Chicopee, who they say was hiding in a dumpster. He is charged with armed robbery and breaking and entering. Cruz says Cunha admitted to the robbery, and police found he had $2,500 in cash on him.