Man allegedly robbed Lowell bank and then fled toward elementary school

By Sarah N. Mattero, Globe Correspondent

A Billerica man is facing charges after he allegedly robbed a Lowell bank and fled on foot toward an elementary school Monday morning, police said.

Robert Volis, 39, made off with an undetermined amount of cash from the TD Bank on Westford Street.

Police arriving at the bank obtained a description of Volis and learned that he might be armed and headed toward the Charles W. Morey Elementary School, said Lowell Police Lieutenant Kelly Richardson.

Police officers alerted the school, and the building was placed on lockdown, Richardson said.

Volis was apprehended in the school’s parking lot.

“There was concern whether he was trying to get into the school,” Richardson said. “There was no indication by actions or words that he was trying to go in.”

No firearms were found on Volis and no one was injured in the incident, he said.

Volis was arraigned at Lowell District Court this morning on an armed robbery charge and held on $10,000 cash bail. His bail for a previous case was revoked. Volis will return to court on Jan. 17.