By:JOSEPH KELLARD
Charles Riehl, 33, was arrested by officers from the Bureau of Special Operations after he produced a note demanding cash at Roslyn Savings Bank, 50 Hemsptead Ave. in West Hempstead, at 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 24. Riehl fled the bank with about $2,000 and ran to the nearby Courtesy Motel, police said.
He was charged with three counts of third-degree robbery.
Police officers Edward Alonge and Michael Knatz responded to information transmitted by Fifth Precinct personnel about the suspect's description and did a routine check of area motels. They reportedly found Riehl at the Courtesy, 130 Hempstead Ave., where he had been living for several weeks while searching for an apartment, police said.
"They responded to the description of the bad guy and they went to the Courtesy Motel," Detective Sgt. Gary Schriffen of the Nassau County Robbery Squad told the Herald. "After a short investigation they came up with our subject, who a short time later was identified by the bank tellers that were brought to the motel."
Schriffen said the proceeds from the robbery were recovered inside Riehl's motel room, but police came up empty-handed when searching for cash he allegedly got away with from two earlier bank hold-ups.
Police said Riehl is suspected of robbing the Bank of New York in Island Park on Feb. 18 at 11:05 a.m., by passing a note demanding cash. About $4,200 was taken. At the time of the heist, five customers and six employees went about their business, none of whom were injured.
Riehl was also charged with robbing a Fleet Bank at 1150 Grand Ave. in South Hempstead on Feb. 23. Police said that around 2:06 p.m., he passed a note to a bank teller demanding money and put his hand in his pocket to indicate to the teller he had a gun. The teller handed over about $200, and the suspect fled northbound on Grand Avenue with the money.
"Just the money from the West Hempstead bank was recovered," Schriffen said. "We believe the other money has been spent."
Schriffen said there was a similar M.O. tying all the robberies together. In each instance, the subject used a note and indicated he had a gun. Each time he escaped with a small amount of cash, and each time he wore a blue-and-black coat.
