(Updated: April 27 6 a.m.) Riverhead Police said the man who robbed the Capital One bank branch on East Main Street yesterday was a black male in his 30s with a bald head. A 911 caller reported the robbery at 5:21 p.m., police said in a press release issued late last night. The man fled on foot west on Main Street.
Police set up a perimeter and deployed a K9 unit with negative results, according to the report.
Riverhead Police detectives, assisted by the Suffolk County Police Department Identification Section, investigated the scene.
Riverhead Police are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any information to contact police at 631-727-4500. All calls will remain confidential, police said.
This is the third time in recent years the East Main Street bank was robbed. It was hit twice in 2014, in March and December. Police made arrests in both of the other hold-ups.
Robert J. Santoro, 46, undomiciled, was arrested the day after the March 14, 2014 robbery. He was subsequently convicted of robbery in the third degree and was released on parole in November 2014.
John Gayles, 55, of Mastic was charged on Feb. 25, 2015 in the Dec. 16, 2014 robbery. He was also charged with robbing the Jamesport Capital One branch on Jan. 6, 2015. He pleaded guilty to robbery in the third degree on Feb. 16 and awaits sentencing in Suffolk County Criminal Court. He remains in custody in lieu of $25,000 bail.
Original story:
The Capital One Bank on East Main Street was robbed this afternoon at about 5:20 p.m.
Riverhead Town Police immediately swarmed the downtown blocks surrounding the bank branch searching for the man believed to have fled on foot, a bank employee told a police dispatcher.
The suspect was described as a male, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, bald head, wearing a black or other dark color sweat shirt and jeans, according to radio reports. He handed a teller a note demanding cash. He did not display a weapon, but kept his hand in his pocket and gestured to indicate he had his hand on an object in his pocket, according to radio reports.
He fled with an undetermined amount of cash.
A Riverhead Police K9 unit has been dispatched to assist with the search. State Troopers are also on scene.
This is a developing story. Check back later for more details as they become available.
The survival of local journalism depends on your support.
We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community.
Support RiverheadLOCAL today.
