NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Police released a photo Friday of a man suspected in a series of robberies inside Bronx banks, where victims' debit cards were stolen and money was withdrawn from their accounts, following the arrest of a female accomplice Monday.
The first robbery occurred April 27, 2023, when an 82-year-old woman was inside a Chase Bank on Bartow Avenue. Two suspects, a woman and a man, tricked the victim and took her debit card, stealing $1,800 from her bank account. The victim was not harmed.
Similarly, on May 17, 2023, at another Chase Bank on East Tremont Avenue, three thieves deceived a 79-year-old woman and obtained her debit card, withdrawing $7,400 from her account. This victim also was not physically injured.
A third incident was reported to police on Oct. 31, 2023, involving a 60-year-old man at a Chase Bank on East Tremont Avenue. Four unknown individuals took the victim’s debit card and removed $1,100 from his account. He was not injured.
The fourth theft took place on Nov. 25, 2023, inside a Bank of America at 400 East Fordham Road. A 38-year-old woman inside the bank had her debit card taken by two unknown individuals, who then stole $3,500 from her account. She was not harmed.
The most recent incident occurred on Jan. 5, as a 72-year-old man was inside the Chase Bank on East Tremont Avenue. Three unidentified individuals accessed the victim's debit card and took $4,200 from his account. He was not harmed.
Following an ongoing investigation, Milagros Hidalgo Palomino, 40, of Paterson, New Jersey, was arrested Monday in connection with the second, third, and fourth incidents.
She faces charges of grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, petit larceny, and unlawful possession of personal identification information.
Authorities have released a photo of another suspect related to the robberies. Roberto Uturunco Rueda, 40, also from Paterson, New Jersey, is currently being sought by police.
Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).