Bank Robbery Suspect Is New Rochelle Librarian

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Patch has confirmed that the woman arrested following a botched bank robbery was employed by the New Rochelle Public Library and was named acting head children's librarian in 2018 following the retirement of the former children's head librarian.

At the time of her arrest she was employed solely as a librarian, according to library officials.

Police officers responding to a bank robbery in progress call on Thursday discovered suspect Mary Thompson still on the scene when they arrived.

The robbery at the Chase Bank at 270 North Avenue took place shortly before 10 a.m. Mary Thompson handed a teller a note, reading, "Give me $100,000 — I have a gun," police report. The 56-year-old suspect fled the bank with approximately $7,ooo in cash, well short of her expected haul, according to authorities.

The Chase Bank branch is less than a block away from the New Rochelle Public Library located at One Library Plaza.

Officers who were already nearby, said the botched heist was quickly foiled without further incident and Thompson was taken into custody.

"Mary Thompson is an employee of the New Rochelle Public Libray," library Executive Director Thomas Geoffino told Patch, describing Thursday's events as a tragedy. "She is beloved by her colleagues and the public. We don't have any further comment."