PORTLAND — Police have arrested two men in a series of bank robberies dating to August.

Officers arrested Otis Johnson, 45, at his home at 17 Hemlock St. late Tuesday, charging him with robbing the Key Bank at 400 Forest Ave. earlier in the day.

Police Chief James Craig said at a news conference Wednesday that Johnson caught a cab from the Greyhound bus station to the bank, went into the bank at 2:20 p.m. and gave the teller a threatening note. When he returned to the cab with a money bag, a dye pack concealed in the money activated, prompting him to run away, Craig said.

Within an hour, police distributed a high-quality bank surveillance photo of the robber, which showed him wearing a cap and sunglasses. That led to calls from the public helping to identify Johnson, Craig said. He is being held in the Cumberland County Jail and is expected to appear in court on Friday.

Police also arrested Philip Burston, 26, on a charge of robbing the Gorham Savings Bank at 71 Marginal Way. Burston, originally from Atlanta, was arrested Oct. 21 on a charge of robbing the bank Aug. 31.

Police say no weapon was shown and Burston fled with cash.

Police are investigating Burston in connection with a robbery at the Gorham Savings Bank on Oct. 14 and one at the Key Bank on Brighton Avenue on Sept. 16.

Staff Writer David Hench can be contacted at 791-6327 or at:

dhench@pressherald.com