A Kings Park man has been accused of robbing seven banks in a 17-day span after he was allegedly caught fleeing a bank robbery in a getaway car, Suffolk County police said.
Brian Blackford was charged with seven counts of robbery after police said the suspect was arrested fleeing a robbery at Capitol One bank in Nesconset shortly before 3 p.m. Monday.
His alleged getaway driver, 51-year-old Fitzalla Coward of Brentwood, was also arrested and charged with one count of robbery.
Police said Blackford robbed the Capitol One in Deer Park on May 24, Bank of America in Commack on May 27, Bethpage Federal Credit Union in Farmingdale on May 29, Capitol One in Farmingdale on June 2, TD Bank in Sayville on June 3 and Citibank in North Lindenhurst on June 5.
In each case, police said the 40-year-old suspect gave the teller a note demanding cash. After the tellers complied, he fled with cash, police said.
Pattern Crime Unit detectives identified the suspect using video surveillance footage and Crime Stoppers tips from the public, police said.
Blackford and Coward will be arraigned Tuesday at First District Court in Central Islip.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.
