Crooks Strike Banks In Maspeth & R’wood
Note-carrying crooks swiped cash from banks in Maspeth and Ridgewood in two separate heists this week, according to police.
Law enforcement sources said an apparently armed bandit stole thousands from a Chase bank located at 69-55 Grand Ave. in Maspeth last Saturday afternoon, Oct. 4.
Four days later, authorities noted, another perpetrator held up a Chase bank located at 60-67 Myrtle Ave. in Ridgewood on Tuesday morning, Oct. 7, getting away with several hundred dollars in currency.
As the Times Newsweekly went to press on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 8, both suspects remained at large.
Regarding the Maspeth caper, police said the perpetrator entered the Chase bank at about 2:40 p.m. last Saturday.
He was described as a Hispanic male in his 30s, standing 6′-tall, weighing 220 lbs. and having a goatee. Reportedly, he was last observed wearing eyeglasses, a multicolored baseball cap, a green sweater and gray sneakers.
Law enforcement sources stated on Tuesday the suspect is connected to nine other bank robbery attempts dating back to 2012, including a failed heist at a Chase bank in Middle Village on Aug. 10, 2012 and the successful robbery bid at a Chase bank in Sunnyside on July 25 of this year.
According to authorities, the suspect walked into the branch, approached a teller and handed over a note demanding cash.
Police said he then lifted his shirt and displayed the handle of a firearm.
The employee reportedly complied with the request and handed over more than $5,000 in cash. After taking the money, law enforcement sources said, the bandit exited on foot and was last seen heading northbound on 69th Place.
Tuesday’s robbery occurred at about 9:45 a.m., when the perpetrator entered the Chase bank in Ridgewood and passed a demand note to the teller, law enforcement sources said.
Police described the suspect as a man in his 50s with gray hair wearing a blue shirt under a black jacket.
Reportedly, a bank employee provided the suspect with $600 in cash. Authorities said the bandit fled the scene in an unknown direction.
Members of the 104th Precinct responded to both robberies. There were no reported injuries.
Police initiated land-and-air searchs for the suspects and the stolen cash, but despite their efforts, no immediate arrests were made.
Both cases were presented to the NYPD Major Case Squad for further investigation, authorities said .
Anyone with information regarding the heists or the suspects’ whereabouts that could prove helpful is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577- TIPS. Information may also be sent to Crime Stoppers via text message to 274637 (enter information, then the code TIP577) or online at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
All calls and messages will be kept confidential.
