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Thieves cut hole in roof of bank, steal safe deposit boxes

NEW YORK - Police believe thieves set up a black plywood shelter on the roof of a New York City bank to provide cover while they cut a hole in the roof and entered the building, reports CBS New York.

The theft was discovered Monday when an employee of Maspeth Federal Savings bank, in the city's Queens borough, noticed the hole coming through a ceiling. Police found dozens of empty savings boxes on the roof, but have not said how much was taken.

The thieves also cut holes through two back yard fences to get to the bank, reports CBS New York. They then used a neighbor's ladder to get to the roof.

The person who lives at that home is usually away on Saturday night, according to another neighbor. Police have not confirmed publicly that the person was not home, or said if they believe the robbers knew that would be the case.

Police are still searching for the suspects.

Police are looking into a possible connection to another bank burglary in Brooklyn about a month ago. In that incident, the thieves cut a hole in the roof of an HSBC Bank, before getting away with $280,000.

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