Bank robbery turns out to be less than expected

BAYSIDE — Police reported a stickup at the Citibank at 39-01 Bell Blvd. at around noon Friday, but the holdup turned out to be fiction.

Police said the alleged armed robber was wearing a gray trenchcoat and hat and fled the scene in a Nissan Maxima with New York license plates.

But after three police cars arrived at the scene a short time later, officers said the alleged robber only tried to cash a bad check.