Bank theft ends in crash

10/17/2008

Bank theft ends in crash

By: Danielle Sanzone , For Community News

SCHAGHTICOKE - The M&T branch at the intersection of routes 67 and 40 was held up Tuesday afternoon. Suspects then led authorities on a high speed car chase which resulted in a multi-car accident, authorities said.

Around 12:50 p.m., the two men ordered a teller at the M&T Bank near the Schaghticoke Fairgrounds to fill their two duffel bags with money. They did not show any weapons and escaped in a late model black Cadillac.

State Police spotted the suspects' car in Saratoga County through a description of the vehicle broadcast on the police scanner. The suspects initially stopped but then fled, said Capt. John McCarthy.

The 10-minute chase ended at the intersection of Route 146 and Route 146A in Clifton Park. The driver of the Cadillac allegedly ignored a stop light, causing a five car pileup.

The two suspects, caught about 30 minutes after the bank robbery, were taken to separate hospitals - one to Samaritan Hospital and the other to Ellis Hospital. Other drivers and passengers were treated on the scene, officials said.

As of Tuesday evening, authorities had not released the identities of the suspects who are purportedly from South Troy. One of the suspects was reportedly out of the hospital Tuesday and authorities were taking him to Rensselaer County Jail, said Undersheriff Patrick Russo.

Sources said the two men are thought to have stolen the Cadillac, with an approximate value of $50,000, from the father of a girlfriend. The two men arrested had about $5,000 in marked bills from the bank in the vehicle when they were apprehended.

While Rensselaer County's Sheriff had the lead on the case, the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office and State Police assisted. The investigation is ongoing, said Russo.

M&T officials declined comment.