Police Search for Bank Robbery Suspects in Westchester Square, Kingsbridge
by David Greene
Police are currently looking for two men wanted for the attempted robberies of two banks, one in Westchester Square and the other in Kingsbirdge– just one day apart.
Officers from the 45th Precinct were called on Tuesday, August 1, after a man robbed the Chase Bank, located at 2725 East Tremont Avenue, in the Westchester Square section.
Photos by EDWIN SOTO
on Tuesday around 11:45 AM at Chase Bank 2725 East Tremont Ave.(Westchester Sq.) was Robbed of unknown amount of money taken, PD is looking for a male hispanic 6’2″ wearing a red hat, black sunglasses and black shorts, no weapon was shown.
According to a police source, “The suspect entered through the front door, was greeted by an employee and made a statement to him.” The source continued, “The suspect then got in line and then returned to the employee again and made a (second) statement while placing his hands on his waistband and displayed a cell phone.”
The source continued, “The suspect again made a statement for the third time and left the location. At this time the bank alarm was activated.” The source added, “No money was taken.”
A stained sidewalk steps from the bank where dye pack with stolen clash landed after exploding on the unsuspecting thief.–Photo by David Greene
Police officials say the statement made by the suspect was, “What if I told you to go to the back and get some money.”
Police are seeking the identity of suspect wanted in connection with an attempted robbery of the Chase Bank on Westchester Square–Photo courtesy of the NYPD
Police would later release a bank surveillance photo of the suspect, described as a male Hispanic, 6′ 2”, wearing a red hat over a white doo-rag and black sunglasses.
Investigators added that the suspect never showed a weapon and fled empty handed and remains at large.
At just before 3 p.m. on Wednesday, August 2, officers from the 52nd Precinct were called to the Banco Popular branch at 301 East Fordham Road, for a report of a robbery at the location.
One official stated, “The male suspect entered the location, approached the teller, presented a note… the teller handed the suspect $440 in cash, along with a dye pack and he fled the bank.”
However, as the suspect ran out of the bank the dye pack exploded just steps from the bank and the suspect dropped the cash and fled on foot towards the Grand Concourse.
One visitor sitting in a park across the street, stated, “We didn’t know what was going on. The police all converged on the bank, it was crazy.”
The suspect was described a black man, 5′ 11”, 200 lbs, with brown eyes and salt and pepper hair. Police say the suspect remains at large and detectives continue to investigate both cases.
Police close the bank and set up a crime scene after a bank robber stole cash with a dye pack that exploded on the street.–Photo by David Greene
Meanwhile, Pelham Parkway resident Kevin Castillo, 40, was charged in a failed May 27 heist at the Bank of America on White Plains Road. Police say he lived four blocks away from the bank he tried to rob.
Anyone with any information on either incident is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 1 (800) 577-TIPS, all calls remain confidential.
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