CUMBERLAND — A bank robbery suspect took the police on a extended foot chase through Valley Falls before jumping into the Blackstone River on Monday afternoon.

Alvin Murray, 33, of no permanent address, was arrested by officers waiting on the other side of the river and charged with second-degree robbery. The money that he is accused of taking was not recovered and the police are still investigating the incident.

Murray was remanded to the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston, and will appear in Sixth District Court, in Providence, on Aug. 12.

The police said that at about 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Murray walked into the Sovereign Bank at 310 Broad St. and handed a note to the teller. Unarmed, he left with an undisclosed amount of money, the police said.

Sgt. William Wilkie was patrolling the area after the robbery when he spotted Murray walking along High Street, near the intersection of Havens Street.

Murray, who matched a description of the bank robber given by witnesses, fled south upon seeing Wilkie. He led the officer on a foot pursuit of nearly seven blocks to Meeting Street, located across from Town Hall, which dead ends at the Blackstone River.

At the end of the street, Murray ran to the riverbank and jumped in. The police called rescue and fire personnel and notified Central Falls police, who apprehended him as he neared the shore.

According to court records, Murray pleaded no contest in March to simple assault and obstructing a police officer and was sentenced to five years, one year to serve at the ACI and four years suspended.

pmarcelo@projo.com