Update: Police are searching for a scruffy black male that's about 30 years old, 5'9" with a knit hat, black knapsack and silver gun. Those with information should contact 845-639-5800.
"The money's also with a red dye pack," said Clarkstown Sgt. Harry Baumann, "so please keep an eye out for money that's been dyed red."
These dye packs are used to foil robberies. During a typical bank robbery, when the teller is asked to put money into a bag, this dye pack is slipped into the bag and it explodes permanently staining the money bright red.
---Original Story---
The Palisades Federal Credit Union branch in Nanuet was robbed this morning by a man armed with a gun, according to Clarkstown police.
Police said a man brandishing a silver handgun got away with an undisclosed amount of cash from the bank, located in the Kohl's shopping center on Route 59 in Nanuet.
No one was injured in the incident.
Police officers from Clarkstown, Orangetown, the Rockland Sheriff's Department and the State Police are at the bank and in the Nanuet area investigating the incident, with police K-9 units called in to assist with the investigation.
Clarkstown Sgt. Harry Baumann said the robbery took place about 9:35 a.m. when a man in his 30s entered the bank and threatened a female teller with a gun. Baumann said the man demanded the teller open her cash drawer and the vault.
Baumann said the man ran from the bank using a rear door. At the time, the man was not seen getting into a car and was believed to have gotten away on foot, Baumann said.
Here is the description police have given of the robber:
- A scruffy black male
- Medium build
- About 5-foot-9 inches tall
- He wore a black, medium length coat, light colored trousers, black dress shoes, and knit dark colored watch cap.
- He is carrying a black knapsack and silver gun
Police are searching the Nanuet area, including nearby businesses and parking lots for the gunman.
"They were in the parking lot with guns looking for the man that robbed that bank this morning," said Marcia Bittman, Program Coordinator at Meals on Wheels on West Nyack Road in Nanuet. She and her coworkers said police put the building on lock down as they search room to room for the suspect.
Although students in Nanuet public schools are on vacation this week, the robbery prompted a lockdown at the nearby Nanuet High School, where some student athletes were at school for practice sessions.
Headquartered in Pearl River, Palisades Federal Credit Union says it is the largest Rockland County-based credit union. Palisades Federal Credit Union says it operates three branches and provides full service banking products and surcharge-free access to over 33,000 ATMs to anyone who lives, works, studies, or worships in Rockland County.
The Nanuet branch had its grand opening in July 2009.
