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Crook in construction gear fails to steal funds from a bank in Astoria, cops say

A would-be bandit disguised as a construction worker tried to rob this Sussex Bank in Astoria on Wednesday.
Photo via Sussex Bank/Inset courtesy of NYPD

This crooked construction worker left a bank job unfinished.

Police are searching for an armed bandit disguised in construction gear who failed in his attempt to steal cash from an Astoria bank on Wednesday afternoon.

Authorities said the botched heist took place at 3:40 p.m. on April 27 at the Sussex County Bank located at 26-21 Astoria Blvd.

Police said the suspect, described as a black male between 25 and 35 years of age, standing between 5 foot 10 inches and 5 foot 11 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds, walked into the bank and displayed a gun while demanding money.

The would-be bandit appeared as if he just walked in off a work site, as he wore sunglasses and a dust mask on his face, a hard hat on his head, a reflective vest and gloves.

However, police said, the suspect fled the scene empty-handed on foot westbound on Astoria Boulevard and then northbound on 27th Street. Law enforcement sources did not confirm whether he abandoned his bid at the last second, or if the bank workers ignored or refused his request.

Officers from the 114th Precinct and the NYPD-FBI Joint Bank Robbery Task Force responded to the incident. There were no injuries.

Anyone with information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS, visit their website or send a text message to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls and messages are kept confidential.