Rooftop pursuit ends in arrest of alleged robber

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- An accused bank robber made a dramatic dash from police Wednesday, climbing out windows and jumping from roof-to-roof.

Joseph Matz, 40, is accused of holding up the Sovereign Back at 515 Massachusetts Ave. in Central Square.

He allegedly passed a note to a teller, demanding cash. As Matz fled the bank, a pack of ink burst inside the bag containing the stolen money. The explosion left the suspect’s pants stained with blue dye.

Matz proceeded to invade a home on Norfolk Street, where he broke a window on the second floor and climbed onto the roof. He then leapt onto the top of the building next door.

The chaos shocked nearby residents, especially when Matz decided to camp out on top of Justin Kelly’s home.

“I heard shouting outside and I looked out the window and I saw somebody on the roof of the house nearby hugging the chimney,” said Tim Daly, a witness.

Matz spent about an hour on Kelly’s roof. As police were trying to talk him down, he did some strange things, including making a phone call and lighting a cigarette.

“He broke through the neighbor’s house and jumped from their roof to our roof,” said Kelly.

Police surrounded the structure, and after an hour, were able to convince Matz to climb down from the roof using a fire truck ladder.

“There was crowds kind of waiting around outside. Police lines blocking everything off, so yeah, it was a little chaotic,” said Rebecca Linder, a neighbor.

State Police and MBTA Canine Units assisted in the search for suspect.

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