West Hempstead bank robbery suspect sought by cops

He walked into the People’s United Bank, inside the Stop & Shop supermarket on Cherry Valley Avenue in West Hempstead, handed the teller a demand note — and demanded cash.

Police said the teller complied. And the robber fled.

Now, Nassau County police said, Major Case Bureau and Robbery Squad detectives are searching for the suspect, who robbed the bank just before 5 p.m. Thursday. And they’re asking anyone with information about the robbery to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-8477.

Police did not say how much was taken.

There were three employees, but no customers, in the bank at the time of the robbery. No one was injured.

Police said the robber was about 5-foot-7 with a light mustache and wore a gray hooded coat, bluejeans and black sneakers. He is believed to in his early 20s, police said.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”