Note-Carrying Bandits Hit Banks In Ridgewood, Midville
Police are continuing to investigate a possible connection between the note-carrying crook who held up a bank in Ridgewood on Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 24, and a pair of similar robbery bids at two banks in Middle Village last Thursday, Jan. 19, it was reported.
According to law enforcement sources, the bandit hit the Queens County Savings Bank located at 66- 77 Fresh Pond Rd. at around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon, taking an undisclosed amount of cash from the location after passing a demand note to a teller.
The suspect in the caper was described by police sources as a Hispanic or caucasian male standing at 5’3″-tall who was observed wearing a black jacket, a black hat and sunglasses. He reportedly fled from the scene in an unknown direction.
Members of the 104th Precinct responded to the incident; there were no reported injuries.
Meanwhile, police are searching for the perpetrator who-after being unable to illegally withdraw cash from a Middle Village bank last Thursday afternoon-succeeded in securing money from a competitor several blocks away during a second robbery bid a half-hour later, it was reported.
As in the Ridgewood heist, authorities stated, the robber-who fits a similar description-passed notes to bank employees demanding cash.
Law enforcement sources said the bandit-described as a caucasian male between 40 and 50 years of age-walked away empty-handed from the Cross County Federal Savings Bank at 79-21 Metropolitan Ave. during an attempted heist at around 2:25 p.m. last Thursday.
Thirty-five minutes later, authorities said, the same perpetrator stole an undisclosed amount of cash from the Capital One Bank located at 74- 11 Metropolitan Ave.-about three blocks to the west of the Cross County Federal branch.
In each of the two capers, according to information obtained by police, the suspect approached the counter and passed a note to the teller demanding money. Reportedly, no weapons were displayed.
Members of the 104th Precinct responded to each incident. No injuries were reported.
Following the Ridgewood and Middle Village heists, various police personnel-including the NYPD Aviation Unit-mobilized in the Middle Village area and conducted a landand air search for the suspect. Despite their efforts, law enforcement sources said, no immediate arrests were made.
The cases were presented to the 104th Precinct Detective Squad and the NYPD Major Case Squad for further investigation, police said. As of press time, no arrests have been reported.
Anyone with any information regarding the robbery bids or the suspect’s whereabouts that could prove helpful is asked to call the 104th Precinct Detective Squad at 1-718- 386-2735 or Crime Stoppers at 1- 800-577-TIPS.
All calls will be kept confidential.
