Police Probe Attempted Robbery, 2 Other Incidents at Putnam Lake Bank

Officials from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office are investigating an attempted robbery that took place Tuesday at the Putnam County National Bank in Putnam Lake. The same bank has seen two holdups in recent weeks.

"The lobby of the bank was closed, however, its drive-in window was open for business," officials said of the incident, which occurred at about 12:15 p.m. Tuesday. "A customer attempted to enter the building telling a bank employee that he needed to get something from his safety deposit box. As the employee went to unlock the door, she observed a second man wearing a ski mask outside the bank. The teller kept the door locked and the would-be perpetrator ran off and fled in a white sedan." 

A bank employee spotted Deputy Andrew Kristan on patrol in the vicinity and waved him down. He relayed what just happened and Kristan "scoured the area," according to officials. He notified the sheriff's communication personnel. Other members of the sheriff's office, as well as state troopers from the Southeast barracks, joined the search.

Local authorities alerted law enforcement agencies in nearby Connecticut and New York of the incident.

"Although no weapon was displayed and entry was never made into the bank, there are similarities between the two previous bank robberies and this incident leading police to investigate this incident as an attempted robbery," officials said in a statement.

The bank is located at 89 Haviland Drive in the Putnam Lake section of Patterson. The first holdup occurred Dec. 20 and the second Jan. 2. Police did not reveal how much money was taken during the crimes.

Investigators from the New York State Police and and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office are working together in the investigation of the bank robberies. They are asking anyone with information to call either the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 845-225-8060 or the New York State Police investigators at 845-279-8656. Calls will be kept confidential.