Police in Forest Hills are shaking their heads and chuckling at the antics of a “wannabe” bank bandit who stole a page from Woody Allen’s “Take The Money And Run” when he tried to rob a Forest Hills Bank of America branch last week.
Police sources said Harold Luken, 45, donned a yarmulke before he walked into the branch at 107-26 71st Ave. at about 1:50 p.m. on April 7, carrying an acoustic guitar. “The yahoo didn’t want to inconvenience anyone too much,” police sources said. So, he clearly and loudly announced, “I am gonna rob the bank. I have a gun, but I’m gonna wait on line,” Luken said.
Cops said Luken waited on the line until it was his turn at a teller’s window, where he repeated, “I’m gonna rob the bank.”
Luken allegedly told the teller he was going to pass a note. When the teller paid little attention to the note and refused to hand over any cash, he asked for the balance in his account, the sources said.
When the teller again refused to act on his demand, Luken left the bank saying, “It’s OK, I’ll go to Citibank and rob them,” police sources said.
Police at the 112th Precinct arrested Luken as he exited the bank. Luken was charged with attempted bank robbery and other related offenses. “No contest,” police sources said. “This guy deserves the 2011 yahoo award for stupidity.”
—Liz Goff