By Chet Williamson

Bank crank

The Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise reported last week that the woman charged with robbing a bank to help her children was actually trying to support her drug habit. Police arrested Jesse Harris, who is charged with robbing the Citizen's Bank located inside the Stop & Shop in Gardner. "We found hypodermic needles on her when we arrested her," said Gardner Police Lt. Gerald Poirier.

Allegedly using a threatening note, Harris told the bank teller that she wanted the money because her children were being held hostage. The teller initially refused to serve Harris, telling her first to remove her hat and sunglasses. According to Poirier the note said that Harris was armed and demanded $4,000. The bank's surveillance camera shows Harris sucking on a lollipop while waiting for the money.

According to court documents Harris was arrested and held on $30,000 bail. She was charged with one count of armed robbery and possession of a Class D drug.

Gasoline alley

The Milford Daily News recently reported that a homeless man was arrested after drinking gas, screaming at passing cars and stopping traffic. According to Lt. Paul Shastany of the Milford Police, Officer William Fuer witnessed 35-year-old Jose Dias Ferreira "running around" in a parking lot next to a gas station on Hollis Street. "The attendant said a nozzle fell on the ground and gas leaked out," Shastany said. "This man got on the ground and started lapping it up." According to Fuer, Ferrier then started screaming, collapsed, got up and ran off.

Some time later, a citizen told Feur that a "strange man" was walking on the nearby train tracks. Ferriera appeared in Framingham District Court last week and was released without bail. He is due back in court on March 31. o

All information taken from public records, published accounts and court proceedings.