Suspect Robs 8th Ave. Bank Using Finger Gun Gesture: NYPD

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — Police are looking for a suspect in the robbery of a Santander Bank on Eighth Avenue. A man entered the bank at 6:50 p.m. on Thursday and simulated a gun, pressing his finger against the back of a security guard, according to police. The suspect then allegedly forced the guard to the teller window area.

The man demanded cash from the teller and left the bank with an undisclosed sum of money, heading south on Eighth Avenue and left on West 51st Street, police said.

No one was injured.

NYPD describes the suspect as an Hispanic man in his late 40s with gray and black hair and a scruffy grey and black beard. He is 5-foot-7 with a medium build and robbed the bank wearing a black jacket, hoodie, grey sweatpants, white sneakers and carrying a black backpack, police said.

This outfit was later discarded for a baggy-clothed outfit, including a T-shirt with the letters “USA” on the front, according to police. Police say they obtained those surveillance photos from a nearby business on 51st Street.

Anyone with information on this robbery can confidentially report it using the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers website or by anonymously calling the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). Los hispanohablantes pueden llamar 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Tips can also be text-messaged to the NYPD by texting 274637 (CRIMES), then entering TIP577.

Photo Credit: NYPD