Homeless Ex-Con Nabbed After Robbing Brooklyn Bank, Stopping for Chinese Food

A 72-year-old homeless ex-con, recently released from prison, is accused of robbing a TD Bank in Brooklyn and then stopping for a Chinese food breakfast on the Lower East Side, where he was apprehended by police. The suspect, Joseph Jean-Louis, faces multiple charges, including robbery, grand larceny, and menacing, for the alleged hold-up that occurred on Friday morning.

Suspect's Brazen Attempt to Enjoy Stolen Loot Leads to Downfall

Suspect Allegedly Robs Bank, Flees on Foot

According to the NYPD, Jean-Louis is accused of walking into the TD Bank on Fourth Avenue near 39th Street in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and telling a teller that he had a gun while demanding money. He reportedly left the bank with around $500, though no weapon was ever displayed. The suspect then fled the scene, running down Fourth Avenue toward the nearest train station.

Police Activate Tracker, Trace Suspect to Chinese Restaurant

Cops said they were able to track the stolen cash using a hidden tracker, which led them to the New Kim Tuong Restaurant on Chrystie Street near Hester Street, about an hour after the robbery. When police arrived, they found Jean-Louis, who was wearing a stained gray shirt and blue pants, had just finished eating an order of shrimp fried rice.

Suspect Apprehended, Denies Wrongdoing

Police arrested Jean-Louis and found the stolen cash, still wrapped in the bank's money band, on his person. When confronted, the suspect allegedly claimed, "You got the wrong dude, man! That's my money. That's my Social Security!" He also reportedly told officers, "I got a $50 million loan from the bank!"

Suspect's Criminal History Revealed

Investigations revealed that Jean-Louis had a lengthy criminal history. He was released from the Elmira Correctional Facility on July 19 after serving a one-year sentence for an attempted robbery conviction. Prior to that, he had been convicted of attempted robbery in 1999 and served five years in prison, before being released in 2004. The suspect was on parole until February at the time of the alleged bank robbery.

Suspect Faces Charges, Arraignment Pending

In addition to the robbery, grand larceny, and menacing charges, Jean-Louis was also charged with criminal possession of stolen property for carrying the stolen cash. His arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court on the bank robbery charges was pending as of Saturday.