Gloved Bandit Sought For 3 Holdups
Police have released the image of a bandit wanted for a recent series of heists at banks in Maspeth, Corona and Forest Hills, during which he reportedly wore white gloves and used demand notes to steal cash.
All three locations hit by the bandit between Feb. 4 and Mar. 24 took place at Chase banks during midday hours, authorities stated.
Law enforcement sources noted that in each incident, the suspect- described as an African-American male in his 30s standing between 5’8″- and 5’10”-tall, weighing 180 lbs.-approached a teller and handed over a note demanding cash.
Once the bank employee provided him with an undisclosed sum of money, police said, the bandit fled from the scene in an unknown direction.
The crook was last observed wearing tinted eye glasses, a black knit hat, a brown hooded sweatshirt, and white cotton gloves with red plastic palms, according to authorities.
Reportedly, the first heist took place at 12:20 p.m. on Feb. 4 at the Chase bank located at 69-55 Grand Ave. in Maspeth.
More than a month went by until the suspect struck again, hitting a bank located at 57-02 99th St. in Corona just after 10:40 a.m. on Mar. 16, police noted.
Finally, the crook struck eight days later at the Chase bank located at 99-00 Metropolitan Ave. in Forest Hills at 11:35 a.m. on Mar. 24, law enforcement sources noted.
The investigation is ongoing, police said.
Anyone with any information regarding the heists or the suspect’s whereabouts 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.
