BOMB THREAT IN BANK ROBBERY

Patrol cars from 63rd Precinct cordon off Washington Mutual Bank on Ralph Avenue last Friday after robber, who told teller he had a bomb in a knapsack he was carrying, escaped. No one was hurt and the thief is still at large — with the money. See story on page 3. Charles Rogers By Charles Rogers

A man who passed a teller at the Washington Mutual Bank in Mill Basin a note stating he had a bomb in a bag he was carrying got away with more than $2,000 last Thursday, police said. Detectives from the 63rd Precinct are investigating the case, along with the FBI and the NYPD’s Joint Bank Robbery Squad.

Police said the robbery took place at about 9:45 a.m. on August 19 when the man, approximately 48 years old and carrying a knapsack over his shoulder, entered the bank at 2401 Ralph Avenue, waited patiently in line until he approached a teller and passed her a note stating, “Listen to me. I want all of your large bills — 50s and 100s. There’s a bomb in this bag.”

The teller then placed a bunch of $50 bills on the window ledge. The thief wrapped up the currency with the threatening note, put them into his knapsack and calmly walked out through the front entrance to Ralph Avenue. It was unknown what direction he fled, whether on foot or by car.

Police and federal agents cordoned off the bank and began questioning customers and employees. They also canvassed the area, questioning store owners and pedestrians as to what they might have witnessed.

According to police spokesperson Detective David Cavitolla, further details of the investigation are not being released at this time. Whether the robbery at the Mill Basin bank is related to a robbery at Banco Popular in Canarsie on August 10 is also under investigation. At that time, a note was also passed to a teller and, although the thief got away with an undetermined amount of money, a small amount of red dye encased in the bills exploded, staining them and the thief. Police are still looking for that suspect.

Anyone with information on the bank robberies is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.