Seek ‘neighborhood’ man in bank job

Detectives from the Bank Robbery Task Force of the Major Case Squad are asking for the public’s help in catching the brazen thief who robbed a Whitestone bank in broad daylight.
Police say the man entered the Astoria Federal Bank branch at 153-01 10th Avenue at 3:35 p.m. on Thursday, August 10. He passed a note to a bank teller, demanding money. He fled with the note and an undetermined amount of cash.
According to Detective Mike Devecchis, “We think he may be from the neighborhood, because it’s an out-of-the-way section of Queens, and he was seen leaving the area on foot.”
Officials at Astoria Federal declined to comment, referring callers to the police. However a neighborhood resident who later attempted to enter the bank, which was closed after the robbery, told The Queens Courier, “I was surprised the bank was closed early - they told me about the robbery and the girls inside said ‘we’re fine.’”
The robber is described by cops as a white male, 25 to 30-years-old, 5 foot 6 inches to 5 foot 8 inches tall, 140-150 pounds.
Anyone with information can call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS (8477) and be sure that all calls will be kept confidential.