2 Suspects In Custody Following Bay Shore Bank Robbery, Manhunt In Woodbury
WOODBURY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Two suspected bank robbers were arrested Wednesday on Long Island after leading police on a chase and crashing their getaway car, authorities said.
Suffolk County Deputy Commissioner Tim Sini told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall two men armed with a gun robbed a Capital One bank inside the South Shore Mall in Bay Shore around 9 a.m.
Sini said the men fled north on Route 135 to Woodbury, where they crashed their car, which had Massachusetts plates, into an unmarked police cruiser at Jericho Turnpike and pole, and tried to hide from police officers inside the Eagle Rock apartment complex.
"I saw the car crashed in the middle of the highway," one witness told CBS2's Jennifer McLogan. "So I thought it's pretty interesting that no one's attending to the vehicle, and then you put one and one together and realize that was probably the getaway car, and then everyone was running into the wooded area."
A GPS device was planted in the stolen cash, which enabled police to track the suspects. Authorities have not said how much money was taken.
Police from Nassau, Suffolk and the state were in pursuit as the suspects fled toward the complex, 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reported.
One of the suspects was arrested as he tried to cross the street, Hall reported.
But it was tense moments for witnesses and residents of the normally quiet community as police conducted a door-to-door manhunt for the second suspect.
"It was pretty chaotic, a lot of cops running over into the apartment complex, helicopters overhead," a witness said.
Ultimately both suspects were apprehended, Hall reported.
The Syosset School District was put in shelter-in-place mode during the search. Roads were also barricaded, the closures affecting traffic for miles.
"It's unfortunately an inconvenience to us, but I'm really glad that we're being proactive and being safe," said Judy Mandel, of Woodbury.
"This was a real collaborative effort, and the communication was seamless, and that's why we were able to capture the suspects so quickly," said Sini.
One of the men was taken to the hospital with an unknown injury. The other suspect was taken into police custody.
Police said they believe there were only two culprits, but they were still searching the area to be sure.
"We're currently searching the area, in an abundance of caution, to ensure that there are no other suspects involved," Sini said.
An officer from Nassau County police and an officer from Suffolk County police sustained minor injuries in the car crash, according to authorities.
Sini said reports that shots were fired during the chase are not true. There were no reports of civilian injuries.
The Syosset School District on Long Island was put in shelter-in-place mode Wednesday morning following a bank robbery and police pursuit.
