Suspect in bank robberies across city at chase locations

Police are searching for Gustavo DeJesus Torres, who allegedly robbed banks this month throughout NYC.

NYPD

The NYPD is on the hunt for a suspect linked to a string of bank robberies at Chase locations across the city this month, who got away with less than $1,000 in total. 

The suspect has been identified as 33-year-old Gustavo DeJesus Torres. Police released a photo and video of DeJesus Torres on March 18, just one day after his latest alleged heist. 

The suspect’s alleged crime spree began in Queens on March 13 at around 12:30 p.m. when he hit Chase Bank at 24-16 Queens Plaza South. Using a written note, he demanded money from a teller — but cops said he got away with nothing.

Just 30 minutes later, he tried again, police said. Torres walked into another Chase, located at 37-67 75 St. in Jackson Heights, passed a note to a teller demanding money and was able to snag around $320. He immediately fled on foot from the location to parts unknown. 

The suspect went back to work the next day, March 14, at around 12:30 p.m., when he entered a third Chase branch at 1462 Nostrand Ave. in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Using the note method, police said, he obtained around $265 before fleeing the location on foot to parts unknown. 

On St. Patrick’s Day, the crook got his own mini pot of gold in Manhattan, when he passed a note to a Chase teller at 55 West 125th St. in Harlem just after 10 a.m. on March 17, demanding money again. He obtained a mere $20 before scurrying away from the location on foot to parts unknown, authorities said. 

Law enforcement sources said Torres made two more unsuccessful attempts to grab cash from Chase branches in Brooklyn and the Bronx on March 14 and March 17, respectively. 

There were no reported injuries at any of the robberies, police said. 

Torres is well-known to law enforcement in NYC. Police said he was arrested last month for allegedly robbing a bank in Midtown in 2024. It is unclear at this time why Torres was released after his arrest. 

Anyone with information regarding these incidents or the suspect’s whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (formerly Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential