Individual Arrested for Brooklyn Bank Robbery

Defendant Claimed to Have a Gun and Demanded $3,000 from Teller

A criminal complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Eric Adjei with the robbery of a Chase Bank in Brooklyn on July 21, 2020.  Adjei was arrested today and was ordered detained pending trial by United States Magistrate Judge Robert M. Levy.

Seth D. DuCharme, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the arrest.  

“As alleged, the defendant threatened a bank teller in the course of a robbery here in Brooklyn,” stated Acting United States Attorney DuCharme.  “Our Office remains committed to protecting our financial institutions and the employees and customers who rely on them to safeguard their money, and anyone who robs a bank in this district will face justice.”  Mr. DuCharme thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, and the New York City Police Department for the diligent work that led to the apprehension of the defendant.

According to court filings, on July 21, 2020, at approximately 5:40 p.m., Adjei entered the Chase Bank at 401 Flatbush Avenue.  Adjei approached the teller window and stated, “I have a gun in my bag, give me $3,000.”  Adjei was wearing a surgical mask, a blue cloth over a green cap, and a distinctive black and white horizontally striped shirt.  NYPD officers located Adjei after recovering surveillance video of him in a subway station, with his surgical mask pulled down. 

The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted, the defendant faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section.  Assistant United States Attorney Matthew R. Galeotti is in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

ERIC ADJEI
Age:  47
New York, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-MJ-578