By Stephen Stirling
Police said they arrested Patrick and Karen Kegel of West Hempstead, L.I. shortly before noon on Jan. 3 at the Surfside Motel on Cross Bay Boulevard after scouring much of Queens, Brooklyn, Nassau and Suffolk counties over two days.Both Patrick and Karen were arraigned in the 1st District Court in Hempstead on four counts of third-degree robbery, according to the Nassau County district attorney's office. The DA said the Kegels were held without bail by Judge Anthony Paradiso, and could face up to 28 years in prison if convicted.Police said the couple allegedly robbed four banks in Long Island over a three-week period, netting them a total of more than $10,000 in stolen cash. Authorities said the chain allegedly began on Dec. 8 with the robbery of Bank of America in West Hempstead. The pair allegedly then went on to rob a North Fork Bank on Lincoln Avenue in Rockville Centre on Dec. 14, the North Fork Bank on Hempstead Avenue in West Hempstead Dec. 27, and the Bank of America on Rockaway Boulevard in Valley Stream Jan.2, according to authorities.Police said the couple was spotted on Jan. 2 just hours after their final alleged robbery, outside of the Surfside Motel at 164-33 Cross Bay Blvd. Police said they were arrested the following morning as they attempted to leave the motel in their 2001 Nissan Altima.According to authorities, Patrick and Karen are also suspected of another bank robbery last month in Millford, Conn., although charges had not been filed as of Tuesday.Police said each of the banks was robbed in similar fashion. While Karen waited in the car, Patrick would enter the bank, threaten to shoot the teller and demand cash, according to authorities. Police said Patrick would then jump in the already running car and Karen would drive away.Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300 Ext. 162.
