Hold-Up at Chase Bank on Eastern Parkway

For the third time in only two weeks, a robbery attempt was made on a local Chase bank on Tuesday afternoon.

After two smiliar failed robber attempts at Chase banks in Park Slope, a thug was successful in robbing a Chase bank at the intersection of Eastern Parkway and Bedford Avenue in Crown Heights.

A man in his 30s came entered the Crown Heights bank at about 4 p.m. on Tuesday and passed the teller a note demanding money. Although he never showed a weapon, he was given the money and ran off, according to police sources.

There were no injuries, and no arrests have been made, police sources said.

Police and bank officials declined to say how much money was taken, saying that they didn’t want to jeopardize an ongoing investigation.

In a similar robbery attempt, on Jan. 29 a man and Carroll Street, also passing a note to the teller demanding money. In this case he then fled without any funds.

And on Jan. 25, and 14th Street in an attempt to hold up the bank, but fled before getting any money. 

Police and bank officials declined to say whether there was any indication that the three hold-ups were related.

At about 5 p.m. at the bank on Tuesday, there were at least six police cars and vans at the scene, although visitors were still allowed to use the bank ATMs.

Several people said that while they were surprised at the hold-up, it didn’t make them feel any differently about the neighborhood.

 “I’ve been living in this neighborhood since 1983 so it’s definitely gotten better,” said Andrew Hamilton, a 46-year-old auto mechanic.

After being told of the attempted hold-ups in Park Slope one bystander simply shrugged off the news.

“Park Slope is supposed to be really safe – crime happens everywhere,” said John Swanson, 30.

He added, “There are cops walking around here all the time. I don’t feel like it is due to a lack of police presence.”

But Ashley Engle, a 27-year-old nursing student, said that while she has always felt comfortable in the neighborhood, she is a bit shaken by the news.

“That definitely makes me feel less safe,” she said.