A 33-year-old man allegedly attempted to rob six Chase Bank branches across New York City’s boroughs over five days in March 2026, walking away with a total of only $605, according to the New York Police Department (NYPD).
The suspect, identified as Gustavo DeJesus Torres, is accused of using handwritten notes to demand cash from tellers at branches in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx between approximately March 13 and March 17. The notes reportedly implied threats, warning that “people might get hurt” if the demands were not met, though no weapon was displayed or claimed in any incident.
This method, often called a “note job” or demand-note robbery, is a lower-risk tactic but frequently results in minimal payouts due to bank protocols limiting cash in tellers’ drawers and training to handle such situations cautiously.
Torres was successful in only three of the six attempts:
- $320 from a branch in Jackson Heights, Queens (on Friday, likely March 13 or the following Friday in the period).
- $265 from a branch on Nostrand Avenue in Flatbush, Brooklyn (on Saturday).
- $20 from a branch on West 125th Street in Harlem, Manhattan (on Tuesday, likely March 17).
In the remaining three attempts—including one in the Bronx—he received nothing and fled empty-handed on foot.
The NYPD released security camera photos and video footage of the suspect, described as a balding man with a beard but no mustache. As of late March 2026, Torres remains at large, and authorities are asking for the public’s assistance in locating him.
Adding to the intrigue, police noted that Torres had been arrested just last month (February 2026) in connection with an alleged robbery at a TD Bank branch in TriBeCa, Manhattan, from April 2025. This suggests a possible pattern of similar offenses.
No injuries were reported in any of the incidents. The NYPD continues its investigation and urges anyone with information on Torres’ whereabouts to come forward. The spree highlights ongoing challenges in urban bank security against persistent, low-stakes attempts. Authorities have not yet indicated if additional charges or related cases are pending.
