Bank robbery remains under investigation
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Amherst police continue to investigate a bank robbery and an attempted bank robbery, which both took place at the end of last week.

Northwest Savings Bank, 3150 Sheridan Drive, was robbed of $3,000 on Saturday by a man wearing a ski mask.

Assistant Chief John Askey said two employees were working and no customers were in the bank when the robbery occurred.

"Both employees were working at the counter, he walked up to them in a ski mask, jumped the counter and the suspect took out the money from one of the drawers," Askey said. "He then looked through the other drawers and said, 'Where is the money lady, I want more money.'"

The individual left on foot with $3,000 in cash. He did not display a weapon.

The suspect is described as a black male, 6-feet tall, weighing 200 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He was wearing black jeans and a grey and black long sleeve shirt. He had a black bandana on his head.

On Friday, May 4, the M&T Bank at 1205 Niagara Falls Blvd. reported a woman entered at 4:06 p.m. demanding money.

"She went up to one of the teller's stations and presented a note that said, 'Hurry up because I have a gun,'" Askey said, adding that she did not display a gun.

The teller reportedly locked the cash drawer and walked away to call security. The suspect left, with the note, and without any money.

She is described as 5-feet, 3-inches tall, weighing 140 pounds and with brown hair.

Police also are looking for a couple who took $300 from the Sun Capsule, 1551 Niagara Falls Blvd., on May 4. Reportedly a white female, 5-feet, 3-inches tall, weighing 115 pounds, entered the business at 10:57 p.m. and demanded money from an employee.

"She told the employee that if she didn't give her the money her man was going to come in and kill her," Askey said, adding a black male, approximately 25 years old, was standing outside , according to the complainant.

They ran through the parking lot after taking $300.

Askey said it is undetermined at this point if the incidents are related.