Note implied bank job suspect had gun: prosecutor

Thomas Hegarty, with his public defender at his side, listens to court testimony at his arraignmennt on Wednesday in Rochester District Court. (Lebanon Voice/Harrison Thorp photo)

ROCHESTER - The Rochester man who allegedly held up the Bank of America on Tuesday is now thought to have not used a gun in the heist, but keeping one hand in his pocket as he handed a teller a note demanding money led her to believe he did.

Thomas Hegarty, 20, of 2 Coxeter Square, appeared by video from the Strafford County Jail as he was arraigned on the robbery charge on Wednesday in Rochester District Court.

Hegarty could be heard openly complained to jail personnel that he didn't feel good prior to the hearing, often fidgeting in his chair.

Police say he walked into the Bank of America on South Main Street shortly after 11 a.m. on Tuesday and handed the teller a note demanding money. It read words to the effect: Give me the money and no one will be hurt. Prosecutors said those words made the teller infer he had a gun. The note also asked for all $20s.

Thomas Hegarty

Based upon security video obtained by police lawmen were able to make an initial identification and around 2:40 p.m. Hegarty was taken into custody.

No one was injured during the robbery.

Since the charge is a felony, Hegarty entered no plea pending a probable cause hearing next month.

Due to a lengthy history with police, his bail was set at $10,000 cash.

Past arrests include willful concealment and drug possession last year, and criminal trespass and drug possession in 2011. At the time of Tuesday's robbery Hegarty was out on bail on a previous charge.