Cops probe attempted robberies at Medford banks

A man tried and tried again to rob a bank in Medford Wednesday before running off from the second bank without any money, Suffolk police said.

He tried to hold up the Chase branch on Route 112 about 1 p.m. by giving the teller a note demanding cash, police said.

He did not display a gun but threatened to shoot the teller if she hit the alarm, police said.

When the teller did not give him money right away, the suspect ran out, police said.

But about 15 minutes later, he showed up at the Bank of America on Horseblock Road and repeated his routine, police said.

Again, the teller did not comply immediately, so he fled, police said.

The two banks are about a mile apart, with Chase just south of the Long Island Expressway and the Bank of America just north of the expressway, near Route 112.

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The suspect wore a tan jacket and a white baseball cap, police said. He had a thin build, appeared to be between 30 and 35 years old and was about 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 7 inches tall, police said.

Suffolk and Nassau counties have seen a dramatic spike in the number of bank robberies this year, and serial robbery suspects have been arrested in both counties.

Anyone with information may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.