A branch manager’s courtesy led a would-be bank robber in Elmhurst to abandon his heist attempt, cops said.
Law enforcement sources said the male crook walked into the Bank of America at 89-01 Queens Blvd. at 11 a.m. on March 22 ready to score some cash. He wore a surgical mask on his face as well as a tan baseball cap, a blue hooded sweatshirt, a jacket and black boots.
According to authorities, the bandit made his way to a teller’s window and was ready to present a demand note when the branch manager approached. Police said the manager asked the crook if he needed assistance, and the suspect replied that he needed to see a teller.
A wanted flier posted on the 110th Precinct‘s Twitter page noted that the manager noticed the demand note, which stated “give money,” before the perpetrator folded it up.
Seconds later, police said, the bandit got cold feet and fled the bank empty-handed, heading westbound along Queens Boulevard. He was last seen entering a white Honda CRV that had been reported stolen in Queens earlier in the day.
Officers from the 110th Precinct responded to the bank; there were no injuries reported.
No arrests have been made; cops described the suspect as a white man standing 6 foot 3 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds.
Anyone with information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts can call the NYPD Major Case Squad at 646-610-6910; all calls are kept confidential.
