NISKUYUNA, NY -- Police are connecting the dots to several different bank robberies all within a few miles of each other. The rash of recent robberies could be linked to only a few individuals according to police. Wednesday afternoon police cars surrounded the Trustco bank in Niskuyuna after they say a man enetered the building and passed a note to the teller demanding money. Detective Sergeant Dan McManus Niskayuna Police Department said, "The note just demanded money. He didn't make any threats or imply that he had a weapon."
Police say the suspect in his 20's wearing grey pants and a sweatshirt left without money shortly after the holdup alarm was pulled. "We looked for bank video, we looked for witness descriptions and statements. We looked at the methodology that was used," said McManus.
Police say an off duty police officer witnessed a man with a towel wrapped around his face running from the bank. Investigators in Niskuyuna later arrested 31 year old, Robert L. Costello of Watervliet charged with attempted robbery in the third degree and attempted grand larceny in the fourth degree. "A male had entered heavily disguised with a scarf and a hooded sweatshirt," said Lt. Robert Winn with Colonie police.
He tells News10 the robbery in niskiyuna had similar patterns to one that took place in Latham on Saturday at a bank on Troy Schenectady road. "It's a very similar description very similar circumstances with the note passing," he said. "I have investigators right now at Niskuyuna police department working together on that case as well as ours."
Winn says often times bank robbers use the same mode of operation to strike several banks.Police say that seems to be the case with 26 year old Jahmar Daniels. Investigtors in Rotterdam started searching for Daniels after bank robberies at a Pioneer Savings, and Trustco bank in February. Both banks located just a few miles apart from each other on Alatamont drive in Rotterdam. "He used a walmart type bag and gave that to to the teller telling them to place cash inside," said Lt. Michael Brown with Rotterdam public safety.
On Monday FBI agents called Rotterdam police to notify them of robbery in Schenectady at another Trustco. "He wore the same clothing, approached the teller in the same manner and said the same thing," said Brown.
Schentectady police were able to arrest and charge Daniels with robbery and grand larceny. Daniels will have to face similar charges in Rotterdam. Police in Saratoga are also expecting to charge Daniels in connection to another robbery that took place in their jurisduction back in January."I think you're going to find he was the one responsible for alot of the most recent ones," added Winn.
Daniels expected to be arrested and formally charged in Rotterdam on Thursday.
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