NY insurance agent is accused of $5,900 bank heist

NYC insurance agent accused of snatching $5,900 in bank heist, making getaway in luxury SUV

PEEKSKILL, N.Y. (AP) -- A part-time insurance agent was arrested in his Rockefeller Center office and charged with pulling off a knifepoint bank robbery in the suburbs and making his getaway in a luxury sport utility vehicle, police said Thursday.

Edward Solomon, of Ossining, was accused of stealing $5,900 from the Trustco bank in a Peekskill shopping center Jan. 16, Lt. Eric Johansen said.

From another link: http://www.lohud.com/article/2008901230359

Financial planner, 71, charged in Peekskill bank robbery

Terence Corcoran
The Journal News

PEEKSKILL - A 71-year-old financial planner and grandfather who lives in Ossining and works in Manhattan was arraigned yesterday in City Court on charges that he held up the Trustco Bank at knife-point last week.

Edward M. “Martin” Solomon of Underhill Road said nothing as he was arraigned before City Judge Thomas R. Langan.

Solomon, who works for Prudential Financial Services at 630 Fifth Ave. and lives in a spacious ranch-style home in Ossining, was arrested Wednesday at his New York City office by state police after Peekskill police determined he was a suspect in the holdup.

Solomon is accused of fleeing the robbery at the A&P shopping plaza, 20 Welcher Ave., on Jan. 16 in a Lexus SUV, which was later seized, police said.

On Wednesday, a person who was in the bank when the robbery occurred recognized Solomon’s Lexus as he drove in the Montrose area, according to police-scanner broadcasts. That witness tried to follow Solomon while talking on the phone to police but lost him. Police, however, were able to trace the license plate to Solomon’s Underhill Road home. Several police cruisers went to the home Wednesday but left about 45 minutes later after determining that he wasn’t there.

State police then arrested him about 3:30 p.m. in his 23rd-floor office in Manhattan. A message left yesterday with Prudential Financial was not returned.

Police apparently have an idea why the bank was robbed but aren’t sharing it.

“We do believe we have a motive, but we’re not releasing that yet,” Lt. Eric Johansen said.

A “partially disguised” man got $5,900 in cash in the robbery, which took place a few minutes after the Trustco Bank lobby opened at 9 a.m. Jan. 16, police said. It was unclear if police had recovered any of the money.

Solomon, who stands about 5-foot-9, wore a dark leather jacket, a white shirt and dark pants as he stood handcuffed before Langan. He turned briefly to see his wife, Joy, 83, sitting in the front row.

His lawyer, Vincent Briccetti of White Plains, a former assistant U.S. attorney, requested $25,000 bail, noting that Solomon “is a 71-year-old man with no prior record ... he is gainfully employed and his wife is here in the courtroom.”

But Assistant District Attorney Daniel Flecha argued for higher bail, referring to the “defendant’s significant means” and pointing out that Solomon has two luxury cars.

Briccetti said he did not have firsthand knowledge of his client’s finances but noted that the cars were leased.

“They do have a home, but it’s heavily mortgaged,” he said.

The charges are first-degree robbery and third-degree grand larceny, both felonies. Langan set bail at $100,000 cash or $250,000 bond and ordered Solomon back in court Feb. 5. He issued orders of protection in favor of the bank and the teller.

Outside court, Briccetti said he needed to investigate the case before commenting on it.

“I can’t give you any comment at this time,” he said. “I’m just trying to learn more about this case.”

A next-door neighbor of Solomon’s who did not want to be identified said she saw police cruisers parked outside the house Wednesday, then called Solomon’s wife after the police left to ask if everything was all right. She said that Joy Solomon told her that things were not all right before getting off the phone.

The neighbor and her husband, who are in their 50s, said they were shocked to hear of Solomon’s arrest.

“It’s incomprehensible that our neighbor, as we know him, would do that,” she said.

Records shows that Solomon and his wife bought the home in April 2002 for $395,000. Joy Solomon is listed as the owner. In recent years, she volunteered to help update the Ossining village comprehensive plan.

On his page on Prudential’s Web site, Solomon touts his financial expertise.

“With my training, expertise and commitment to my customers, I’m confident that I can provide a level of personalized service unmatched by my peers,” he wrote. “As your financial professional, I will work tirelessly to help you achieve your financial goals - it’s my promise to you.”

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