Cops: Lindenhurst man arrested in bank robbery

A 20-year-old Lindenhurst man was arrested Thursday and charged with robbing a Ridgewood Savings Bank branch in Lindenhurst in January, police said. An 18-year-old was previously arrested and is a co-defendant in that robbery, police said.

Jovan Banks of 344 33rd St., was arrested in Copiague on charges of first degree robbery, police said, accused of robbing the bank branch at 317 S. Wellwood Ave. on Jan. 22. Ryan Matera, 18, of 556 Walnut Avenue, Bohemia, was arrested Feb. 4 and also charged with first degree robbery, police said.

Inside the bank during the robbery, Banks handed Matera a handgun that he used to intimidate a teller into surrendering the cash to them, police said. Taking the money, both men fled the bank, police said, adding that the cash has not been recovered.

Banks is to be arraigned Friday in First District Court, Central Islip. Matera was previously arraigned and was being held in the Suffolk County Jail on $100,000 bond or $50,000 cash bail.