By Tom Tracy
A paroled note-passing bandit is being sought for robbing a Park Slope Commerce Bank Friday, only to rob the bank again two days later, officials said. As they narrow their search, cops said that the dreadlock-sporting thief may have learned his lesson on Sunday when a dye pack he received from a teller exploded in his face, just as he got into his getaway car on the morning of January 14. Investigators did not release the name of the suspect, but did say that the 40-year-old black male was arrested for robbing a bank back in 2002 and is currently out on parole. Workers at Commerce told police that the suspect entered the building, located at 269 5th Avenue at 7:30 a.m. on January 12 and hung out in a foyer until the bank opened for business. He then walked up to a teller counter and handed over a threatening note, demanding the money from the teller’s cash drawer, officials said. The thief, described as 6’3” tall and 220 pounds, fled the bank with $2,300 in cash and was last seen running southbound on 1st Street. Bloodhounds tracked the thief to Prospect Park when the trail went cold, officials said. But he didn’t go too far. Police were told that the thief returned to the bank just after 11 a.m. on January 14 and again passed a threatening note to a teller. The thief ran out with over $1,740 in cash, but the money exploded just as he entered a livery cab. The livery cab driver abandoned the vehicle as the suspect got behind the wheel and drove the dye stained car northbound on 5th Avenue. When questioned, the livery cab driver told police that he picked the bank robber up at the corner of Fulton and Clinton streets just before 10 a.m. that morning. The cabbie told police that he took the thief to Commerce Bank, but the bank wasn’t open yet. In order to kill time, the suspect asked the livery cab driver to take him to the Pacific Express Livery Station at 4 4th Avenue and then to the McDonald’s at the corner of Atlantic and Vanderbilt avenues to order some food. He took the thief back to the bank, never realizing that he was intending to rob it, officials said. Cops are asking anyone with information regarding the bank robber’s whereabouts to come forward. Police said that tipsters could receive up to $2,000 for information leading to the bank robber’s arrest and indictment. Calls can be made to the NYPD CrimeStoppers hotline at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
