FBI: 2 suspects in bank robberies arrested in Boston

BOSTON -- Police say they have caught the “copycat bandit” on Wednesday who is allegedly behind two bank robberies last week involving the use of fake pipe bombs. And it turned out the alleged "copycat bandit” had an accomplice.

The two men are now accused of hitting the Bank of America on Canal Street.

Police pat down accused accomplice Theodore Sautelle as they closed down streets near the Boston Garden.

According to federal prosecutors, he was working with another man, William Deviconzi who allegedly robbed other banks in Everett and Winthrop. He is known to the FBI as the "copycat bandit.”

Agents say they were ready for them when tried to rip off a Bank of America on Boston’s Canal Street Wednesday morning.

Acting on a tip, detectives went dumpster diving in East Boston. They recovered a bag that had been tossed away by the “copycat bandit” who lives at a house a street from that dumpster with his aunt and cousin. 7NEWS was told they allowed him to sleep in the basement, but they weren't willing to talk about it.

“He didn’t look dangerous to me or anything like that,” said Michael Massa, neighbor. “I didn’t think he was up to any no good.”

The alleged “copycat bandit” came clean according to the criminal complaint.

He told investigators he was preparing to wear sunglasses, a black knit cap,

And black gloves during the Bank of America robbery in Boston.

Agents found those items on him along with a fake pipe bomb - a tube with brown fluid with a wire attached.

“I think it’s creative. I don’t see why he’s not doing the old fashioned gun, but times are tough,” said Eddie Deveau, neighbor.

Deviconzi got the nickname "copycat bandit" because he was mimicking the “U30 Bandit” was another robber who used fake bombs while targeting banks last year in Wellesley, Needham, Dedham, and Newton.

They are being held without bail over the weekend pending a hearing on Monday.

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