Cops Say He Also Robbed Other Sites
The note-carrying bandit who swiped thousands of dollars in cash from a Maspeth bank during a heist last Thursday morning, Mar. 15, has been linked to four other robbery attempts of banks in Sunnyside, Forest Hills, Rego Park and Jamaica earlier this year, police reported.
According to law enforcement sources, the Maspeth caper occurred at around 11:30 a.m. last Thursday at the Chase bank located at 66-02 Grand Ave.
Police said the bandit-described as an African-American male in his 30s standing at 6’2″-tall and last observed wearing a black trench coat and a green or black hat-entered the location, approached a teller and handed over a note demanding cash.
During their investigation, police determined that the suspect did not display any weapons.
After receiving over $2,000 in currency from the bank employee, law enforcement sources said, the perpetrator fled from the scene in an unknown direction.
Members of the 104th Precinct responded to the scene. Various police units canvassed the surrounding area for the perpetrator; despite their efforts, authorities said, no immediate arrests were made.
Upon further investigation, police announced on Wednesday, Mar. 21, that the crook was responsible for four other robbery bids which took place between Feb. 3 and Mar. 1, including:
– the successful robbery of a Chase bank located at 95-38 Queens Blvd. in Rego Park on Feb. 3 at 10:15 a.m., during which he stole an undisclosed amount of cash;
– the failed heist of a Chase bank at 47-11 Queens Blvd. in Sunnyside at 2:55 p.m. on Feb. 14;
– the failed robbery attempt of a Chase bank at 104-17 Queens Blvd. in Forest Hills at 9:05 a.m. on Feb. 23; and
– the successful heist of a Capital One Bank located at 146-21 Jamaica Ave. in Jamaica at 3:30 p.m. on Mar. 1.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the NYPD Major Case Squad, police said.
Anyone with any information regarding last Thursday’s heist that could prove helpful is asked to contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1- 800-577-TIPS, by text message to 274637 (enter information, then the code TIP577) or online at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
All calls and messages will be kept confidential.
