Nanuet, NY – A 22-year-old Nanuet man was arrested Saturday morning after allegedly robbing a Chase Bank and telling a bank employee that he had a firearm, according to the Clarkstown Police Department. Officers located and detained the suspect about 20 minutes after the robbery was reported.
Police responded to the Chase Bank at 61 Smith St. in Nanuet at approximately 11:05 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, following a report of a bank robbery. Investigators said the suspect had entered the bank shortly before police were called.
According to police, a witness reported that the suspect entered the bank at approximately 11 a.m. and approached a teller station. The suspect allegedly told the employee that he had a firearm and demanded money before leaving the bank on foot at approximately 11:01 a.m.
Clarkstown officers obtained a description of the suspect and began searching the surrounding area while other officers remained at the bank to speak with witnesses and investigate the robbery.
At approximately 11:20 a.m., an officer located a man matching the description behind 122 Route 59, roughly half a mile from the Chase Bank. Additional officers responded to the area, and Clarkstown Police K9 Jax assisted during the search.
Police identified the man as James L. Gordon, 22, of Nanuet and took him into custody. The Journal News reported that the location where Gordon was found was on the property of Ocean State Job Lot.
Gordon was charged with first-degree robbery, fourth-degree grand larceny and third-degree menacing. The charges are allegations, and Gordon is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Following his arrest, Gordon was arraigned in Clarkstown Justice Court. Bail was set at $50,000 cash or a $100,000 bond, and he was transported to the Rockland County Jail.
Initial reporting on Saturday indicated that investigators had not yet publicly disclosed whether a weapon had been used or whether anything had been taken from the bank. Police subsequently provided additional information stating that the suspect allegedly claimed to have a firearm while demanding money. Available reports reviewed Monday did not state whether police recovered a firearm.
The available reports also do not clearly establish the amount of money allegedly taken during the robbery. While Gordon was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny in addition to robbery and menacing, authorities had not publicly provided a specific dollar amount in the reports reviewed following his arrest.
The investigation was handled by the Clarkstown Police Department. Information released by police was subsequently reported by multiple local news organizations, with accounts consistently identifying the bank as the Chase branch at 61 Smith St., placing the robbery at approximately 11 a.m. and Gordon’s detention at approximately 11:20 a.m.