Would-be bank robber nabbed by RVC village police

Four minutes after police said he tried to rob the Chase Bank on North Village Avenue, Rockville Centre officers arrested Ralph V. Costa III, 23, of Hopewell Junction, N.Y., at the Long Island Rail Road station.

According to detectives, Costa approached a teller at 5:25 p.m. on July 1, passed a demand note and threatened the use of a gun. The defendant fled the bank on foot before the teller was able to comply with his demand. After a notification was broadcast, Rockville Centre Police Officer Alberto Melendez found Costa on the platform of the station. There were seven employees and seven customers in the bank at the time of the attempted robbery. No injuries were reported.

Costa was charged with one count of attempted robbery and was arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on July 2.