Police

Riverhead police searching for Capital One Bank robber

Police say this man robbed Capital One Bank in Riverhead on Tuesday. (Credit: Riverhead Town police)
Police say this man robbed Capital One Bank in Riverhead on Tuesday. (Credit: Riverhead Town police)

Riverhead police are searching for an unarmed man who reportedly robbed the Capital One Bank on East Main Street in Riverhead Tuesday afternoon, authorities said. 

Officer Emil Breitenbach said the police department received a call at 2:42 p.m. stating that money had just been taken from the bank, located at East Main Street and East Avenue.

Ten police units, including COPE officers and detectives, were dispatched to the scene, authorities said.

Police said the suspect is a tall black male with a large build who was wearing a mustard colored hooded sweatshirt, black hat, gloves and sunglasses.

The suspect produced a note demanding money and left with “an undisclosed amount of cash,” according to Det. Sgt. Sean Egan of the Riverhead Police Department. He exited the front of the building heading east, Det. Sgt. Egan said.

When asked if the suspect was armed, Det. Sgt. Egan said “he just produced a note.”

The same bank was robbed in March of this year by a 46-year-old Riverhead man. Police caught him the next day at the Budget Host Inn in Riverside. He pleaded guilty to the crime in May.

Nancy Kouris, owner of the neighboring Blue Duck Bakery, said her staff was baking Christmas cookies at the time of Tuesday’s robbery and did not hear any commotion. She later noticed police searching the area.

She said she believes these types of incidents wouldn’t happen if there were more people visiting downtown.

“I’m glad nobody was hurt,” she said. “It’s frustrating because we’re all trying desperately to make downtown work.”

Any with information is asked to contact the Riverhead Police Department at 727-4500 or Suffolk County Crime Stoppers 1-800-220-TIPS.

[email protected]

With Paul Squire

Police are searching for a bank robber downtown. (Credit: Jen Nuzzo)
Police are searching for a bank robber downtown. (Credit: Jen Nuzzo)