Quincy bank robbed by man in 'Scream' mask

QUINCY — A bank robber concealed his identity with a "Scream" Halloween mask and entered Washington Trust Bank in Quincy around 9:20 a.m. Monday, escaping with an undisclosed amount of cash, authorities said.

The bank robbery suspect, James Edward Forhan, 48, of Ephrata, was later arrested and nearly all the money was recovered when the Quincy Police Department responded to a call at 11:45 a.m. referencing a disorderly subject interfering with traffic.

Sgt. Randy Coleman said that Forhan was attempting to board an occupied semi-truck that was stopped at the intersection of Fourth Avenue SE and East Division Street, blocking the roadway and interrupting traffic in the process.

Forhan began to match the bank robbery suspect's description "pretty good" while being questioned for disorderly conduct, Coleman said.

"He was extremely intoxicated at the time," Coleman said.

When Forhan was eventually arrested, police found nearly all of the money taken from the bank earlier in the day, which was identified by the serialized order of the bills and the bands used by the bank to wrap the money into bundles.

Surveillance video from the bank also helped police identify Forhan, Coleman said.

Forhan was carrying a knapsack with a change of clothes matching those of the bank robbery suspect's. He was also found with the "Scream" Halloween mask worn in the trilogy of "Scream" movies. A coat matching one shown in the surveillance video and identified by witnesses was recovered and identified too, Coleman said.

WTB Branch Manager Pat Moore said that she was not there at the time of the robbery, but on-duty staff complied with the bank's policy by cooperating with the suspect and focusing on keeping people safe.

"He scared the jeepers out of everybody," Moore said. "Nobody was hurt."

Moore said she was told by witnesses that the robber was wearing an "old man" mask covering his entire head and he requested money without using a weapon or making threats.

Sgt. Coleman confirmed that no weapon was displayed or indicated in the heist.

Police and bank officials would not release the amount of money taken during the robbery.

John Weber, vice-president security officer for the bank, said customers and branch staff noticed the robber immediately.

"Everyone was staring at him," Weber said.

Weber said WTB policy on bank robberies is to cooperate within reason to ensure safety.

"They all followed (policies) very well," he said.

Weber said the Quincy branch at 509 Central Ave South was previously robbed on Dec. 31, 1991 and the subject was apprehended by authorities.

However, "This was the first one we've had on Halloween," Weber said.

Forhan was booked into Grant County Jail on charges of first-degree robbery, first-degree theft, possession of stolen property in the first-degree and disorderly conduct, Coleman said.

Forhan's previous criminal record is minimal, Coleman said.

"He just used some really poor decision making," he said.