Police seek suspect connected in RVC bank robbery

Chase Bank in Rockville Centre was robbed in broad daylight on Jan. 3, at approximately 12:30 p.m. 

Robbery Squad detectives with Nassau County Police said an unknown male entered the bank and approached the teller. He presented her with a note demanding money and threatened the use of a weapon, according to police.

Authorities said that no weapon was displayed and when the teller walked away, the suspect exited the bank on foot without any money. Five employees and one customer were inside at the time of the robbery, and no injuries were reported.

Police describe him as roughly 5-foot-8 with an average build. He was last seen wearing a grey hooded sweat jacket, a black ski mask, and black gloves.

Several people working in the surrounding area said they were unaware of the robbery attempt.

Lindsay Schultz, an employee at Osio Salon across the street, said that she was working at the front desk all morning, but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.

“The owner went over to the bank to get change and he said that the doors were locked,” Schultz said.

Debbie Whitfield, the manager of the Art Flower and Gift Shoppe nearby, said that detectives came into the store to ask if the owners could provide footage from their security cameras.

“I don’t know what they saw,” Whitfield said. “I didn’t hear anything other than that.”

This was not the first time this Chase branch location has been robbed. In 2015, a similar incident was reported by NCPD at the same bank. According to reports, the suspect had also provided a demand note and made verbal threats about using a gun.

Another incident occurred at the branch on N. Village Ave. in December 2008. The suspect was able to flee with an undisclosed amount of money, less than a day after the same individual attempted to rob the Roslyn Savings Bank in West Hempstead.

The investigation is continuing. Police ask that anyone with information regarding the incident contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or call 911. All callers will remain anonymous.