Police in New York City are actively hunting for a suspect after a bizarre and notably unsuccessful crime spree saw six bank robberies attempted over just five days, with the perpetrator making off with a paltry total of only $605.
The Disappointing Crime Wave
Gustavo DeJesus Torres, aged 33, embarked on his low-yield robbery campaign late last week, targeting multiple branches of Chase bank across the city. His method involved handing tellers a threatening note that warned people would be hurt if money was not handed over, though the note did not indicate he was armed.
A Pattern of Attempts
Torres began his spree by robbing one Chase branch, then attempted another robbery just an hour later at a different location. The following day, he struck twice more at Chase banks. After a two-day break, he targeted two additional branches of the financial giant, bringing his total attempts to six.
During these incidents, only two robberies proved mildly fruitful. He managed to obtain $320 from a branch in Jackson Heights, Queens, and $265 from a Nostrand Avenue location in Flatbush, Brooklyn, over the weekend. In a third successful attempt at a West 125th Street branch in Harlem on Tuesday, he emerged with a mere $20.
Failed Heists and Police Response
In three of his other attempts, his audacious method failed completely, yielding no money. According to the NYPD, in these cases, the individual did not obtain any funds and fled on foot to unknown locations. Authorities have released several security-camera photographs of Torres in an effort to apprehend him.
One image shows him on a subway platform holding a cup of coffee, with headphones dangling around his neck, captured during the 57-minute interval between an unsuccessful robbery and a subsequent one where he took $265. Records suggest Torres may have honed his techniques previously, as a 2021 news report indicates a man with the same name, then 29, was arrested after robbing a Chase bank in Newark, New Jersey, making off with $6,000 using a similar note method.
He was charged with first-degree robbery in that incident, though the outcome remains unclear. Additionally, he is believed to have robbed a bank for $600 last year, according to reports. The NYPD continues its investigation into this recent crime wave, urging the public to come forward with any information.
