Police: Husband Led Police To Alleged Bronx Serial Bank Robber
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- In a surprising end to a bank robbery spree in the Bronx, police said they caught the woman they were looking for with help from her husband.
As CBS2's Steve Langford reported, the suspect allegedly told police she was driven to extremes to take the cash.
Five banks across the Riverdale section of the Bronx were allegedly hit by the same suspect, police said.
The suspect entered each bank over about a two week period, never flashing a weapon, and just declaring to the teller quote "Stay calm and give me ten 100 dollar bills," police said.
The suspect got $1,100 at one Chase Bank branch, and $1,000 at another, but struck out at several other banks when tellers just refused to hand over the cash.
"Oh well, that's the right thing to do – 'I'm not going to give you any money,'" a woman in the neighborhood said.
Shortly after the release of the surveillance photos of the suspect, a man called the 50th Precinct headquarters and asked. 'Why are detectives walking around showing a picture of my wife?'"
Christina Teifer, 29, of Riverdale was arrested and charged with several crimes – including robbery and attempted robbery. Police sources reported the suspect has said she was supporting her OxyContin habit.
Police said Teifer's her husband agreed to cooperate. His wife was picked up at their home in Riverdale.
"That's really sad," a woman said. "She needs help. I hope that she's able to get the help she needs."
The suspect's spree allegedly included attempting to rob three banks on May 24 within a ten minute period, scoring cash only at her first stop that day.
Teifer remained in jail late Thursday with bail set at $10,000. She is due back in court on June 28.