Woman Accused of 3 Long Island Bank Robberies

Her getaway driver was also charged

A 45-year-old woman has been arrested and charged with three bank robberies on Long Island. 

Suffolk County police say Jean Coughlin was arrested in Carle Place on Tuesday after she handed a Chase Bank teller a handwritten note demanding money and threatening violence.      

"We had an alert customer who observed the bank robbery, and tellers also clued him in that the bank was being robbed," said Detective Lt. Jack Fitzpatrick. "He then went to the lobby of the bank, dialed 911, and when the female robber tried to exit the bank, he grabbed her and detained her for police."

Police say the Bay Shore resident also was charged with two other bank robberies committed in the county earlier this year.      

"It's about time that people took action," said Frank Rillotta, a customer at the Chase bank branch where Coughlin was caught. "Too many people stand by and do nothing."

They say Jesse Steward, Coughlin's boyfriend and the getaway driver in Tuesday's alleged robbery, also was arrested.      

Both suspects were charged with robbery.      

They were set to be arraigned in First District Court in Central Islip on Wednesday.      
It wasn't immediately known if they had lawyers.

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