MANHATTAN — This bomb threat bank robbery suspect went out with more of a whimper than a bang.
A Harlem ex-con threatened bank tellers with bomb threats and claims to have a gun was arrested for a string of heists around the borough beginning in July, police said.
Anthony Cesario, 33, was hit with seven counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery for the alleged two-month spree, which included hitting two banks in one day and even trying to rob the same bank twice just days apart.
The suspect, who has done stints in state prison for robbery and drug sale, first struck at a Chase Bank at 2030 Broadway, near West 70th Street, at 10:15 a.m. claiming to have a bomb, police said.
But the teller refused to fork over cash and he fled empty handed.
Lest than two hours later, Cesario, who was released from prison in April, allegedly pulled the same stunt at a Sovereign Bank branch at 250 Lexington Avenue, near East 35th Street.
This time, the teller gave him money, although the amount was not clear.
On Aug. 15, Cesario returned to the same branch and again made off with cash, police said.
During the series of heists, the suspect robbed a Sovereign Bank at 1350 Broadway, near 36th Street, a Sovereign Bank at 1062 Third Ave., near 63rd Street, an HSBC Bank at 885 Eighth Ave., near 53rd Street and a Sovereign Bank at 2275 Broadway, near 82nd Street, police said.
He last struck on Sept. 19, claiming to have a gun at the Capital One Bank on 1536 Third Ave., near 87th Street, according to cops.
