NEP
07-23-2010, 12:42 PM
http://media.trb.com/media/photo/2010-07/55113733.jpg http://media.trb.com/media/photo/2010-07/55114934.jpg
A lot of robbers use force. This one used the Force.
A bandit decked out in a Darth Vader costume strolled into a Long Island bank yesterday - and walked out with a wad of cash.
The villain looked ready for Halloween, wearing the "Star Wars" scoundrel's signature mask and sweeping black cape.
He lost some authenticity points for a pair of camouflage pants.
The get-up struck one customer as so funny that he started joshing with the Darth Robber after he strode into the Chase bank in Setauket.
"The customer thought it might have been a joke, and not a serious attempt at a robbery," said Suffolk County police Detective Sgt. William Lamb.
But Darth wasn't kidding - and he wasn't going to be stopped by a non-Jedi Knight.
He won a "shoving match" against the incredulous customer before using his piece to order him to the floor, Lamb said.
And his weapon was no joke. He was carrying a pistol instead of a lightsaber.
Cops released a surveillance camera image yesterday showing Darth at the teller counter, loading bills into a bag, while the customer cowers on the floor.
The fake Darth made a quick-footed getaway, and the bank was still checking its drawers late yesterday to figure out how large his take was, Lamb said.
It was the second recent off-the-wall bank robbery. On Wednesday, NYPD cops arrested a man dubbed the "Bouquet Bandit," saying he brought flowers and potted plants into banks he robbed.
Source: NY Daily News (http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/07/22/2010-07-22_darth_vader_robber_and_thats_no_lightsaber_hes_wielding_at_li_bank. html)
A lot of robbers use force. This one used the Force.
A bandit decked out in a Darth Vader costume strolled into a Long Island bank yesterday - and walked out with a wad of cash.
The villain looked ready for Halloween, wearing the "Star Wars" scoundrel's signature mask and sweeping black cape.
He lost some authenticity points for a pair of camouflage pants.
The get-up struck one customer as so funny that he started joshing with the Darth Robber after he strode into the Chase bank in Setauket.
"The customer thought it might have been a joke, and not a serious attempt at a robbery," said Suffolk County police Detective Sgt. William Lamb.
But Darth wasn't kidding - and he wasn't going to be stopped by a non-Jedi Knight.
He won a "shoving match" against the incredulous customer before using his piece to order him to the floor, Lamb said.
And his weapon was no joke. He was carrying a pistol instead of a lightsaber.
Cops released a surveillance camera image yesterday showing Darth at the teller counter, loading bills into a bag, while the customer cowers on the floor.
The fake Darth made a quick-footed getaway, and the bank was still checking its drawers late yesterday to figure out how large his take was, Lamb said.
It was the second recent off-the-wall bank robbery. On Wednesday, NYPD cops arrested a man dubbed the "Bouquet Bandit," saying he brought flowers and potted plants into banks he robbed.
Source: NY Daily News (http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/07/22/2010-07-22_darth_vader_robber_and_thats_no_lightsaber_hes_wielding_at_li_bank. html)