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4 Men Arrested For Allegedly Preying On Bank Customers In Nassau County

LAWRENCE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Imagine being watched while you make a bank withdrawal. Then those crooks follow you to steal your cash.

It's happening in Nassau County.

Handcuffed and walked out of county police headquarters on Wednesday were three of the four men arrested for preying on bank customers, CBS2's Natalie Duddridge reported.

Bank Preying Suspects Nassau County
(L-R) Sergio Castaneda-Ronderos, 20, Marco Alberto Guerra, 33, Oscar Corriente, 31, and Diego Garzan Salamanca, 33, all of Queens (credit: NCPD)

Police said the group of suspects would watch customers withdraw money from their banks and place money in their cars. Then the men would break into those cars and steal the cash.

"I would be scared to death. I would have a panic attack," Nassau County resident Maria Salazar said.

Authorities said 20-year-old Sergio Castaneda-Ronderos, 33-year-old Marco Alberto Guerra, 31-year-old Oscar Corriente and 33-year-old Diego Garzan Salamanca, all from Queens, were charged with grand larceny and conspiracy.

Police said the most recent theft happened on Tuesday at a bank on Rockaway Turnpike in Lawrence at around 4 p.m. Investigators didn't say how much was stolen, only that the suspects got away with loot left in cars.

"It's scary. They should lock their cars. No, I never leave money in the car," resident Janet Anglero said.

Theresa Fabara said prior to Wednesday she sometimes stashed some withdrawn cash in her car, while she walked to do some quick errands.

"Well, I'm cautious, but I will leave money in the car. But I usually lock it in my trunk," Fabara said.

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Police have been trying to track down the people behind a number of larceny cases for months. They said the group targeted a TD Bank along Jericho Turnpike in Garden City Park back in January.

Authorities said they matched several incidents to the suspects and finally nabbed them Tuesday night, adding all four defendants had multiple warrants from several law enforcement agencies, including Nassau County's Electronics Squad, Queens Grand Larceny Task Force, Suffolk Cunty Auto Larceny Squad, and even ICE.

The extent of all their crimes will be revealed in court.

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