'Be Calm, Be Cool, Be Quick': RI Prison Escapee Charged with Attempted Bank Robberies

CAMBRIDGE, MA — The news broke first as an attempted bank robbery on Mass Ave, with a vague location described. It slowly solidified into reports that the suspect's description echoed that of a inmate on the lam from a Rhode Island federal prison. From there, it was a torrent of information — a manhunt, a second attempted bank robbery, a pursuit and, finally, the arrest of James Morales, in Somerville.

Now, the allegations against Morales from that day are coming back to him, as charges came down Thursday from the U.S. District Attorney's Massachusetts office.

Morales, a former Army Reservist previously charged with stealing military weapons, has now been charged with two counts of attempted bank robbery. According to the DA's office, he left both banks empty-handed, even wishing one of the tellers a good day before he made his exit.

Morales, 35, of Cambridge, reportedly escaped from federal custody on New Year's Eve in Central Falls, Rhode Island. He allegedly made a brief appearance in Framingham, near the home of an ex-girlfriend, then was not reported seen for days.

On the morning of Jan. 5, the DA's office contends, he resurfaced in Cambridge, where he entered a Bank of America branch around 9:21 a.m.

The DA's office says Morales passed the teller a note: “I WANT ALL OF THE LARGE DENOMINATIONS W/BAND’S FROM THE 2ND (BOTTOM) TILL NOW BE CALM – BE COOL – NO DYE PACKS.” According to the DA's office, the teller fled to the back of the bank and hid behind a locked door. Morales allegedly left without the cash, trailed by clear video surveillance footage that was subsequently shared with the press and the public.

Under six hours later, amid a sweeping manhunt, Morales allegedly entered a second bank, this time a Citizen's Bank in Somerville.

There, the DA's office alleges, Morales again passed a note, this time reading, “I WANT THE MONEY IN THE TILL NOW!! 100’s 50’s 20’s Be Calm, Be Cool, be Quick.” When the teller stated, “I can’t,” the DA's office says, Morales wished the teller a nice day and exited the bank. Again, he was captured on surveillance video, according to the allegations.

The rest was reported that day — a foot pursuit by State Police and subsequent capture.

Read: 'No Fight Left In Him': Trooper Tackles RI Fugitive James Morales

According to the DA's office, the charge of bank robbery carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and restitution on each count. The actual sentence is likely less than that, the DA's office notes.

Those are not, of course, the only charges Morales now faces.

Back in Rhode Island, he's been indicted on a separate charge related to his escape from custody.

Photo, via Cambridge Police, shows Morales at bank counter.