A Middle Island man received a prison sentence of three to six years for robbing a bank in Centereach.
Ralph Dominguez, 66, was sentenced today to three to six years in prison for robbing an M&T Bank in Centereach of $2,770.
On January 31, Dominguez entered an M&T Bank in Centereach and handed the teller a note demanding U.S. currency in various denominations. While handing the teller the note, Dominguez simultaneously placed his hand in his jacket, seeming to suggest that he was armed with a gun. The note demanded that the teller turn around and count to 50 after handing over the money so no one would get hurt. The teller complied with the demand, put $2,770 in a bank deposit bag and handed it to Dominguez. He then fled the bank, but was apprehended by members of the Suffolk County Police Department shortly thereafter. During the arrest, law enforcement recovered the bank deposit bag.
On July 7, Dominguez pleaded guilty before County Court Judge Anthony S. Senft, Jr., to third-degree robbery, a Class D felony. On August 18, Dominguez was sentenced to three to six years in prison.
“This defendant thought he could make a quick buck by threatening bank employees with harm if his demands were not met,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “I commend the swift response from the Suffolk County Police Department who apprehended this defendant while he was fleeing, and recovered the money stolen during the robbery.”