Crime & Safety
Police: Man Arrested in West Islip Bank Robbery
George Swanton, of Brentwood, is also charged in two other recent bank robberies.
A man who police say robbed a Babylon Village Chase Bank Friday afternoon–as well as a West Islip bank on Tuesday–didn't make it very far before being placed in handcuffs.
George Swanton, 54, of Brentwood, was arrested about 20 minutes after the robbery at the Chase Bank located at 31 W. Main Street, police said.
Swanton is also charged with robbing the West Islip Bank of America on Tuesday and a Citibank in Brentwood last week, police said.
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Police said Swanton entered the Chase Bank shortly after noon on Friday and approached a teller, stated he had a gun and demanded cash, police said. As the teller was preparing to give him cash, Swanton also demanded money from a second teller, who also complied with his demands, police said.
After a description of the robber was broadcast, First Precinct officers Anthony Mennella and Matt Augustine found Swanton on Railroad Avenue in Babylon and arrested him around 12:25 p.m., police said.
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Swanton is charged with five counts of third degree robbery. He is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Saturday.
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