By Karen Frantz
Police in Queens arrested a man known as the “Snub-Nose Bandit” last week, who is suspected of robbing several banks and other businesses in New York and was wanted by the FBI, according to authorities.
Harry Pacheco, 36, was picked up by police from the 107th Precinct in Fresh Meadows early on the morning of Sept. 12 after a 911 call was placed alerting cops to suspicious activity around Ray Bari Pizzeria, at 176-61 Union Tnpk. in Hillcrest, police said.
A police spokesman and the Queens district attorney said Pacheco was arrested on charges of attempted burglary after cops discovered he was in possession of bolt cutters, two screwdrivers and a wrench. Pacheco was also accused of possessing burglar’s tools, according to the criminal complaint filed by the DA.
Police also found damage to the rear door of the pizzeria’s building, where Pacheco allegedly was trying to break in — the door frame was bent and the door casing was popped open, the complaint said. Police also said they brought in a 36-year-old woman suspected of being an accomplice in the break-in, Michele Perlin, who was sitting in a jeep parked near the pizzeria, according to the court papers.
A source said that the connection was made between Pacheco and the Snub-Nose Bandit when a police officer recognized him from an FBI wanted photo.
Pacheco was arraigned Sept. 13 on the attempted burglary charge in Queens Court and his next court appearance is Oct. 18, according to the DA. It could not be determined when or whether Pacheco would be transferred to federal court.
The Snub-Nose Bandit was wanted for at least eight armed robberies in New York starting in September of last year, many of them taking place in Queens, according to the FBI website. They include the robbery of a 7-Eleven at 107-24 Corona Ave. in Corona, a Chase Bank at 205-19 Hillside Ave. in Hollis and a Sovereign Bank at 75-15 31st Ave. in East Elmhurst.
The website says shots were fired in three of the robberies, and an FBI press release described him as armed and dangerous.
The FBI believed the suspect may have used livery vehicles to transport himself to and from bank robberies, according to the FBI.
The unique nickname was given to the suspect because the silver gun used in the robberies is called a snub-nose revolver, the FBI website says.
An official at the FBI said the Snub-Nose Bandit’s picture was in the rotation on the Clear Channel billboard in Times Square.
Reach reporter Karen Frantz by e-mail at kfrantz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
