UTICA, NY – A man wanted for a bank robbery on Friday was captured by police and U.S. Marshals the following day.
According to the Utica Police Department, a robbery hold-up alarm was reported at approximately 9:30 AM on Friday at the downtown branch of Adirondack Bank.
Upon arrival, bank employees informed officers that a male had entered the business and passed a note demanding money to the teller. Following the transfer of the money to the suspect, the suspect fled eastbound on Elizabeth Street.
The suspect then boarded a CENTRO bus to Sangertown Square Mall. Upon arriving at the mall, the male was picked up by an unknown individual driving a white SUV, who then drove away in an unknown direction.
Throughout the course of the investigation, a number of sources of information were examined. It was ultimately established that the suspect spent both the night and morning at the Warming Center on West St before the robbery.
Police found out the man informed several people of his intentions. Investigators were able to match the description of the party at the Warming Center to the individual who robbed the bank after reviewing multiple areas of surveillance footage. Following a positive identification, efforts were immediately initiated to locate the party.
Members of the New York/New Jersey Regional Marshall’s Task Force, including members of the Utica Police Warrants Unit and the Oneida County Sheriff Department observed the suspect walking at approximately 11:40 AM and stopped them without incident.
He was searched following his arrest, and a large quantity of suspected cocaine was discovered.
The suspect was identified as 37-year-old Joseph Thompson.