Queens Chase bank bandit strikes again: Police

The Chase bank bandit has struck again.

For the fifth time in three months, the same suspect has successfully robbed a Chase bank branch in Queens, the NYPD said.

The latest incident happened on Monday, when the suspect walked into a Glendale Chase branch at 71-04 Woodhaven Boulevard, at 3 p.m. He approached a bank teller, passed a note demanding money, and was given an undetermined amount of cash, authorities said.

From Sept. 30 to Dec. 14, the same man robbed four Queens Chase branches — two in Jamaica and two in Flushing — each time getting away with cash. In total, he stole $12,720, not including the latest incident, authorities said.

Police have released an updated photo of the suspect from the bank surveillance camera. He is described as about 35 years old, 6 foot 5 to 6 foot 7, and weighing about 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black waist length jacket, blue jeans and black sneakers.

Anyone with information should call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-8477, or for Spanish 888-577-4782. Tips can also be submitted at the Crime Stoppers website at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting to 274637, then entering TIP57. All calls are confidential.

Over the past few months, several would-be bank robbers have each hit multiple branches and different banks in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn. All of the suspects employ the same technique of passing a note demanding money, but on most occasions, the bank employee simply walks away or refuses to hand over money.

While the robbery attempts continue, police arrested a man on Dec. 1 after allegedly trying to rob a different Queens Chase branch. Authorities say he is also responsible for two other recent attempts.

John Grant, 49, of Bushwick, was taken into custody shortly after attempting the 10 a.m. robbery, police said. A bank employee had called 911. Police say Grant also tried to rob two banks in Brooklyn on Dec. 6. Both times he passed a note demanding money. He was turned away at the Bank of America in Bushwick — less than one mile from his home — but was handed cash at the Cobble Hill Chase, police said.

Grant was charged with three counts of third-degree robbery.