Serial Bank Robber Arrested

On Monday, June 9, 2014 at 2:50 p.m.. Suffolk County Police today arrested a Kings Park man in Dix Hills for robbing seven banks in just over a two-week period.  During these robberies suspect would pass a note demanding money from a teller and then flee the bank.

Utilizing video surveillance, as well as Crime Stoppers tips from the public, Pattern Crime Unit detectives identified the suspect as Brian Blackford.

Today, Blackford entered Capitol One Bank located at 250 Smithtown Boulevard, Nesconset, approached a teller and presented a note demanding cash.  The teller complied and the man fled the bank to an awaiting vehicle.  A description of the suspect and vehicle was broadcast to patrol units.  The vehicle was observed by First Precinct patrol officers who initiated a stop and placed the driver, Fitzalla Coward, 51, of Brentwood, and the passenger, Brian Blackford, 40, of Kings Park under arrest at 2:50 p.m. without incident.

Blackford was charged with seven counts of Robbery 3^rd degree for robbing the following banks:

• Capitol One in Deer Park on May 24
• Bank of America in Commack on May 27
• Bethpage Federal Credit Union in Farmingdale on May 29
• Capitol One in Farmingdale on June 2
• TD Bank in Sayville on June 3
• Citibank in North Lindenhurst on June 5
• Capitol One in Nesconset on June 9 

Coward was charged with one count of Robbery 3^rd degree for robbing the Capitol One Bank in Nesconset on June 9, 2014.

Both Blackford and Coward will be held at the First Precinct and are scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on June 10, 2014.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.