Far Rockaway men arrested for armed robbery

Alleged to have stole money from three banks, two in the Five Towns

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Nassau County police said that they have arrested three Far Rockaway residents who allegedly robbed three banks, including two in the Five Towns, in July and August.

Pedro Benitez, 20, of Beach 14th Street and Quincy A. Hall, 32, of Beach 26th Street were arrested on Sept. 27. Damilola J. Saka, 24, of Decosta Avenue was arrested on Oct. 3, police said.

According to Robbery Squad detectives, the three men acted in concert as they entered each bank armed with a handgun, demanded money and ordered employees to the floor. They stole an unspecified amount of money. No injuries were reported at any of the banks.

The Roslyn Savings Bank at 75 N. Central Ave. in Valley Stream on July 14; the TD Bank at 100 Cedarhurst Ave. in Cedarhurst on Aug. 7; and the Bridgehampton National Bank at 1218 Broadway in Hewlett on Aug. 21, are the banks they allegedly robbed.

Benitez and Hall were both charged with three counts of robbery first-degree, three counts of criminal use of a firearm and three counts of criminal possession of a weapon. They were arraigned on Sept. 28. Saka, is charged with one count each of robbery first-degree, criminal use of a firearm and criminal possession of a weapon. He was arraigned on Oct. 4. All three were arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead.