Armed men rob East Rockaway bank

The Nassau County Robbery Squad is investigating a bank robbery that took place last Friday at 8:55 a.m. at Astoria Federal Savings Bank in East Rockaway.

According to detectives, two men, one armed with a black automatic pistol, entered the bank, at 464 Atlantic Ave. One man held bank personnel at gunpoint while another vaulted the counter and removed currency from three teller stations.

After demanding access to the bank vault, which he was told employees could not open, the second man forced a teller to open the ATM safe, where he removed more money. The suspeects then fled in an unknown direction.

Six employees were present at the time of the robbery. According to 4th Precinct police officer Gregory Caserta, a teller hit the silent alarm before the men even entered the bank, and the police “missed them by about 30 seconds.” No injuries were reported.

During the investigation, police turned customers away, informing them that the bank had been robbed, and the area was cordoned off with crime-scene tape. “They told me it was robbed,” said a woman who walked to the bank in the rain from her home nearby. “I don’t know what I’ll do now about money ... I hope they catch who did it.”

“For a small town, we have a lot of banks,” said her male companion. “And for some reason, they seem to target us for robberies. Times are tough, but I wouldn’t rob a bank to get money.” Both residents declined to be identified.

The first subject, who was armed with the gun, was described as a black man about 6 feet tall, wearing black clothing. The second man, also black, was 6 feet 1 and wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, dark pants and a white baseball cap.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

Comments about this story? MMalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.

The second subject is described also as a black male , 6'1", wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, dark pants, and a white baseball cap.

Anyone with information about this robbery is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain

anonymous.