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NYPD: Brazen Bandit Attempts 5 Bank Heists In 3 Hours

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are searching for a man who they say tried to rob five banks in Manhattan in three hours, but faced some very tough tellers.

Investigators said the spree first started last Thursday at an Apple bank on 7th Avenue and 31st Street, where they say he told a teller, "Don't try anything funny. I don't want anyone to get hurt" and slipped her a note, CBS2's Janelle Burrell reported.

Sources say she handed over $1,000 cash, Burrell reported.

Police said he then tried to pull off the same stunt at five more banks across Manhattan on Monday.

Around 1:45 p.m., police said he walked into a Valley National Bank on Fifth Avenue and 30th Street, passed a note to the teller and demanded cash. But the teller refused and the man fled empty-handed, police said.

Then about 15 minutes later, police said he did the same thing at a Capital One bank at Park Avenue South and East 32nd Street. Once again, police said the teller refused to hand over any money and the man took off.

Around 30 minutes later at 2:35 p.m., he tried to rob a HSBC bank at Park and East 40th Street, police said. Still unsuccessful in getting the teller to turn over any cash, police said he didn't stop there.

By 3:20 p.m., police said he was at a Chase bank at Lexington Avenue and East 72nd. Once again, police said he passed a note to a teller demanding cash, but the teller refused to comply.

Finally, around 4:45 p.m., investigators said he made another attempt at a Chase bank at Second Avenue and East 86th Street but got away with nothing.

John Ottomano has an account there and manages the building next door.

"We've had this bank robbed a few times in the past years," he said.

He and others are hoping the man is caught.

"I hope they get him because this is really scary," said resident Susan Schwartz.

"Hopefully, he'll find his and they'll catch him, but it's a shame," said Ottomano.

Manhattan Bank Robbery Spree Suspect
Surveillance image of a suspect who police say in wanted in connection with a bank robbery spree in Manhattan. (credit: NYPD)

Police have released surveillance images of the suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS or for Spanish 1-888-57-PISTA (74782), visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

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