Police Arrest Serial Bank Robbery Suspect

Suffolk County Police announced the capture Friday of a serial bank robber wanted in connection with six heists in Nassau, Suffolk and upstate.

The Major Case Investigations Unit apprehended Michael Walsh, 58, of 2405 89th St., East Elmhurst, Queens and charged him with two counts of first degree robbery. 

“We did recover cash, a weapon and a police scanner,'' said Det. Lt. Gerard Pelkofsky, who heads the Suffolk Major Case Unit. "He was prepared. He knew what he was doing. He went in with the express reason of robbing a bank.” 

For the second time in less than a month, the silver-haired bandit . The latest bank job happened at 5:35 p.m. Tuesday along busy 25A in the well-trafficked CVS Plaza. 

According to police, an armed man approached a teller at the Chase Bank at 721 Fort Salonga Road and demanded cash. The teller complied and the subject fled on foot southbound through the parking lot.

When police arrested Walsh at 10:21 a.m., they recovered numerous items of evidence, including a replica 9 mm air gun, a police scanner, cash, a shoulder bag and other items linking him to the robberies.

“We recovered an air gun," Pelkofsky said. "That’s what we believe he used. It’s a very dangerous weapon. An air gun can kill people also. Not as readily as a hand gun, but it certainly can do significant damage to a person.”

Pelkofsky credited  in identifying Walsh. According to Pelkofsky, Walsh lived in Northport 20 years ago and has a history of bank robbery. 

“They provided the initial identification, which we were able to build on and make the arrest,” Pelkofsky said. 

A rundown of the banks Walsh is alleged to have robbed:

• May 14: Marathon Bank, 1577 Northern Blvd., Manhasset.
• June 25: Marathon Bank, 1577 Northern Blvd., Manhasset.
• June 30: , 563 Larkfield Road, East Northport.
• July 6:   
• July 22: People’s United Bank, 401 Glen Cove Road, East Hills.
• July 26: Chase Bank, 721 Fort Salonga Road, Northport. 

Pelkofsky said Nassau County Police have yet to interview Walsh in connection with three robberies there. Newburgh police have also been contacted. 

Walsh will be held overnight at the Seventh Precinct and arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Saturday. 

                                  Bank Heists

     Numbers provided by Nassau and Suffolk Police departments.

      *Year to date.