Cops: Nassau bank robbery probe leads to another arrest

An investigation into three summertime South Shore bank robberies in Nassau County led to the arrest Tuesday of the third of three Far Rockaway men, Nassau police said.

Police said Damilola J. Saka, 24, of Decosta Avenue, was arrested at 10:35 a.m. and charged with one count of first-degree robbery, criminal use of a firearm and criminal possession of a firearm in connection with a heist at a TD Bank branch on Cedarhurst Avenue in Cedarhurst on Aug. 7.

Two other suspects, who police said were involved in all three robberies, were arrested last month.

Police have identified them as Pedro Benitez, 20, of Beach 14th Street, and Quincy A. Hall, 32, of Beach 26th Street, and said they were both arrested on Sept. 27.

Each was charged with three counts of first-degree robbery, three counts of criminal use of a firearm and three counts of criminal possession of a weapon.

Police said Benitez and Hall were involved in the TD Bank robbery, as well as the robbery of a Roslyn Savings Bank branch on North Central Avenue in Valley Stream on July 14 and the robbery of a Bridgehampton National Bank branch on Broadway in Hewlett on Aug. 21.

Both were arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead last Thursday and, according to court records, both were remanded.

Court records show Benitez is represented by a Legal Aid attorney. He is due back in court Thursday.

Records do not indicate if Hall is represented, but indicate he is due back in court on Oct. 19.

Saka is scheduled for arraignment Wednesday.

Police have not disclosed details of the bank robberies or said what led them to the suspects. They did not disclose how much money was taken in any of the robberies.

CORRECTION: Damilola J. Saka was charged with one bank robbery, according to police. The number of bank robberies was incorrect in a previous version of this story.