Traffic stop leads to arrest of bank robbery suspects

By Todd Feathers, Globe Correspondent

A man and woman who are suspected of robbing banks in Arlington and Waltham were arrested after they fled from police in a stolen car, State Police said today.

State Police stopped Andrea Koutis, 30, of Arlington, and Erik Stout, 35, of Somerville, for erratic driving at 4:54 p.m. Tuesday, less than an hour after the two allegedly robbed the East Cambridge Savings Bank in Arlington and Sovereign Bank in Waltham, State Police said in a statement.

A trooper attempted to stop the car after seeing the couple riding in a 1998 Nissan Maxima, which was reported stolen, on Soldiers Field Road in Boston.

Koutis, who was driving, refused to stop and fled at high speeds, said Jake Wark, a spokesman for Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley. When Koutis eventually stopped the car, Stout attempted to run but was caught after a short chase, Wark said.

A search of the car revealed $7,000, which State Police believe was stolen from the banks. Troopers recognized the two as robbery suspects, based on descriptions that had been released by Arlington and Waltham police, and they contacted the FBI-headed bank robbery task force, which is investigating, State Police said.

Neither Koutis nor Stout has been charged yet with robbing the banks. Koutis is charged with operating a stolen vehicle and driving infractions. Stout is charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, the statement said. The two were held overnight at the Brighton State Police barracks on $100,000 cash bail each.