Hold-Up at Chase Bank on Eastern Parkway

A thug held up the Chase Bank at the intersection of Eastern Parkway and Bedford Avenue yesterday afternoon.

A man in his 30s came into the bank at about 4 p.m. 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.

This is at least the third Chase bank in the area to be targeted for hold-ups in the past few weeks.

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, according to police.

On Jan. 25, and 14th Street and also attempted to hold up the bank. But he also fled before getting any money. 

Police and bank officials declind to say whether they thought the hold-ups were related.

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

“I’ve been living here for 14 years now and it doesn’t make me feel any discomfort – it’s pretty safe here,” said Paul Brown, a carpenter who lives across the street from the bank and is also 46.

“It is what it is, there are dangers everywhere,” said John Swanson, who is 30 and works in the hospitality industry.

After being told of the attempted hold-ups in Park Slope he said, “Park Slope is supposed to be really safe – crime happens everywhere.”

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.