News - Serial bank heist culprit arrested after NYC spree

Gustavo DeJesus-Torres, a 33-year-old man infamous for robbing banks, was apprehended on Wednesday following a hectic five-day crime spree across New York City, culminating in a mere $600 haul. The arrest was made by authorities in Newark, New Jersey, as part of a collaborative effort involving the U.S. Marshals Service, the NYPD, and Newark police. Between March 13 and March 17, DeJesus-Torres tried to rob six Chase bank branches. His targets spanned several boroughs, including Downtown Brooklyn, Flatbush, Harlem, the Bronx's Melrose area, Long Island City, and Jackson Heights. Despite his threatening notes to bank employees demanding money under duress, his efforts only yielded success at three locations with modest sums: $320 from Jackson Heights, $265 from Flatbush, and $20 from Harlem. Investigators used surveillance video and public tips to track and capture DeJesus-Torres, who had been evading authorities for a spate of similar crimes. His criminal history reveals prior incarceration for a 2021 Chase bank robbery in Newark, escaping with $6,000. Another noteworthy crime linked to him is the 2025 TriBeCa TD Bank heist, also involving $600. DeJesus-Torres now faces multiple charges, including violating the terms of his federal release and the latest bank robberies. "Our continuous efforts aim to preserve public safety and uphold justice," stated Nicholas Ricigliano, Acting U.S. Marshal for New Jersey. Despite attempts to reach out, the U.S. Marshals Service declined to further comment on the details of the case.