Man in Wheelchair Robs Bank in Queens, Flees With $1,200: Police

A man in a wheelchair robbed a bank in Astoria Monday, authorities say.

Police say the man wheeled into the Santander bank on Broadway shortly before 2:20 p.m. and passed a teller a note demanding cash.

He fled with $1,212. 

Police are investigating if the robber was handicapped at all. Local store owner Juan Arenas said he overheard officers saying they found the chair blocks away.

"I think it was more of a prop. They kept saying they found the wheelchair somewhere nearby," he said.

Surveillance video taken from store cameras two doors down from the banks shows a man that police identified as the robber rolling down the sidewalk in a wheelchair. 

Police closed the bank and the branch turned away customers while officers investigated. 

The man was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and jeans. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS.

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