Police identify bank robbery suspect
By Kate Daly Assistant Editor

Westborough - An exploding dye pack from one robbery resulted in a suspect confessing to the Aug. 5 robbery of the Citizens Bank branch in the Lyman Street Stop and Shop.

According to Police Chief Alan Gordon, Richard Piper, 39, of Framingham, was in custody Sept. 3 in Worcester, where he had been picked up on a warrant for unarmed robbery, larceny under $250 and larceny from a person.

Westborough police interviewed him about the Aug. 5 bank robbery based on information they had, Gordon said, but he gave no information.

The following day, Piper was released after a court appearance, Gordon said.

Later that day, Worcester police arrested Piper following the robbery of a Citizens Bank branch in the Stop and Shop in Lincoln Plaza, Gordon said. A dye pack exploded, covering the suspect in red dye. Piper was arrested near the plaza, on foot, with some "distinctive" markings, Gordon said.

While he was in Worcester police custody again, Westborough police questioned him a second time, and he made a statement admitting to the Lyman Street robbery, Gordon said.

Westborough police will file a warrant in Worcester to have Piper arraigned in Westborough District Court.