SALEM - A man suspected of robbing Citizens Bank at Shaw's earlier this month is under arrest in the Bay State, accused of trying to rob another Citizens Bank in North Andover, Mass.

Joseph Costello, 26, of 52 Lawrence Drive, Lowell, is charged with the attempted robbery of the North Andover bank on July 14. He also is suspected of two other similar Citizens Bank robberies, one on July 12 at Stop & Shop in Chelmsford, Mass. and the other in Reading at another Stop & Shop.

Salem police said they were notified Saturday of the North Andover robbery because the robber matched the description of the man who robbed Citizens Bank in Shaw's on July 2.

Deputy Police Chief Shawn J. Patten said Costello not only matched the description of the bank robber, but the note he handed a clerk contained similar language: that he had a bomb and a hostage and demanded money.

On Sunday, Salem detectives received an anonymous tip identifying the robber as Costello and giving his whereabouts.

Salem investigators, working with Mass. State Police and law enforcement from North Andover and Wilmington, Mass., confirmed Costello as the suspect and then located and arrested him.

Patten said he does not know when Costello will be brought back to New Hampshire to face the robbery charge.