PORTLAND – The lawyer for an accused serial bank robber is seeking to have his client’s statements to police thrown out because he was suffering from “serious psychological disturbances.”

David Bolduc, 45, of Greene is charged with five counts of bank robbery. He was arrested shortly after allegedly robbing Androscoggin Savings Bank in Auburn on March 20.

William Maselli, Bolduc’s attorney, filed a motion in U.S. District Court to suppress statements Bolduc reportedly made to police following his arrest on March 20.

According to court records, Bolduc told authorities he committed the robberies, in part, to support a drug habit.

Maselli wrote that Bolduc’s “psychological condition combined with coercive circumstances and conduct by law enforcement officials rendered such statements involuntary.”

At the time Bolduc was interrogated, he was “suffering from serious psychological disturbance.” Although Bolduc had been read his rights under Miranda, police violated his Fifth Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution, Maselli wrote.

The court earlier had agreed to allow Bolduc to undergo a psychological examination. Maselli wrote that a doctor’s report would bolster his argument.

Maselli also is seeking to have evidence from the search of Bolduc, his car and home withheld from trial.

There must be “reasonable suspicion that criminal activity has taken place” in order for police to detain a suspect, Maselli wrote. He called the initial stop “unlawful” and unconstitutional.

A local officer parked outside the bank recognized the beige Ford Contour Bolduc was driving as matching the description of one used at a Lisbon bank robbery a month earlier, according to a sworn affidavit. The clothes and accessories Bolduc wore also matched those from previous robberies.

When another officer later searched Bolduc, suspecting he might be carrying a weapon, the officer found a roll of coins in Bolduc’s pocket, along with a note that read: “EMPTY THE DRAWER. NO ALARMS! I’M ARMED!”

A hearing on the motions is scheduled for Jan. 5.

The number of bank robberies in Maine hit an all-time high this week with the robbery of Maine Bank and Trust in Portland, according to the Department of Public Safety. It was the 21st bank robbery of the year, topping the 1989 record of 20 robberies. Maine had 16 bank robberies in 2005.