NYC Bank Robber's Losing Streak: $605 from Six Chase Branches
An allegedly well-practiced bank robber in New York City is on a losing streak and remains at large after targeting six JPMorgan Chase and Co branches across multiple boroughs over five consecutive days, netting a mere $605 in total, according to authorities. The New York Police Department (NYPD) has yet to apprehend the suspect, identified as 33-year-old Gustavo DeJesus Torres, who began his spree on Friday, March 13, using written notes to demand cash from tellers while implying potential harm if they refused.
Limited Success in Robbery Attempts
The suspect's success rate appears questionable, with only three of the six attempts resulting in any cash. During a robbery in Jackson Heights, Queens, Torres withdrew $320, while in Flatbush, Brooklyn, he took $265, and at a Harlem location, he managed to secure just $20. In the other three attempts, he came away empty-handed. Fortunately, none of the incidents led to injuries, and police reports indicate that Torres did not claim to carry a weapon during these crimes.
Suspect's History and Public Appeal
Torres is believed to have a prior criminal record, including an alleged 2021 incident where he stole $6,000 from a Chase bank in New Jersey after presenting a note stating, "I'm heavily armed don't make a scene." He was also previously arrested for allegedly robbing $600 from a TD Bank in Manhattan's Tribeca section. The NYPD has released security-camera photographs of Torres, including one taken during a 57-minute interval between a failed robbery in downtown Brooklyn and the successful $265 theft in Flatbush, showing him on a subway platform holding a coffee cup.
Authorities describe Torres as a balding man with a beard who sometimes wears a mask and typically leaves crime scenes on foot. In a news release, the NYPD has requested public assistance in locating him, as the string of robberies continued until March 17.
Decline in Bank Robberies Nationwide
Bank robberies have been decreasing for years, according to FBI data. In 2023, there were 1,362 reported cases, down from 2,440 in 2019 and a significant drop from 7,556 in 2004. Approximately 60% of these cases are solved, with over a third resolved on the same day. The average take per robbery has also declined, now standing at about $4,200, highlighting the unusual nature of Torres's low-yield spree.
This case underscores ongoing challenges in urban crime prevention, even as overall rates fall, and emphasizes the importance of community vigilance in aiding law enforcement efforts.
