Police: Officer spots thief at 7-Eleven
A Central Islip man was arrested on charges of robbing a bank in Lake Grove Monday after police said an alert officer spotted the getaway car at a 7-Eleven.
Police said Chris Nilsen, 52, of Hoffman Lane, walked into the TD Bank branch on Middle Country Road at 3:08 p.m., demanded cash from a teller, got it and fled.
But another driver saw Nilsen fleeing and got his license plate number, police said.
Suffolk County police said Nilsen was arrested after Fourth Precinct Officer Howard Dwyer spotted his white 2010 Chevrolet Camaro at a 7-Eleven on Veterans Memorial Highway in Islandia.
The information about the getaway car was broadcast, police said, and a short time later, Dwyer saw the car in the lot at the Islandia 7-Eleven.
Police said Nilsen drove the car through some bushes in an attempt to escape, then ran over a curb and onto the road -- but was stopped at Hawthorne Avenue near Half Mile Road in Central Islip following a brief pursuit. Nilsen then ran, but was later caught by Dwyer and Sgt. Eric D'Agostino, police said.
Nilsen was charged with third-degree robbery. He is scheduled for arraignment Tuesday in First District Court in Central Islip.
