2 Arrests Made For 2 Manchester Bank Robberies

MANCHESTER, CT — Two people have been charged in connection with a pair of bank robberies in Manchester on Sunday afternoon.

According to a report, a hold-up alarm went off at the TD Bank, 180 Deming St., at about 1:30 p.m. When officers arrived, they were told a white man who looked to be about 40 approached the tellers while holding an empty bag, a report indicates.

The man appeared to be nervous as the teller attempted to speak with him, police were told. He quickly left the bank and fled in a red mini-van operated by a "white female," a report says.

A hold up alarm was then received from the United Bank branch at 234 Tolland Turnpike while officers were still investigating the TD Bank incient, according to a report. When officers arrived, they were told a suspect matchng the decription of the would-be robber at TD Bank had just fled, according to a report.

Witnesses told police the man passed a note to the teller at United Bank demanding cash while implying he had a gun, according to a report.

A Chrysler Town and Country van seen at both bank incidents was found at the Motel 6 at 51 Hartford Turnpike in Vernon shortly after, police said.

The owner of the van, 42-year-old Bambi Czernek of Manchester, was located nearby and a man matching the description of the robbery suspect, identified as Dale Robbins, 44, of South Windsor, was located inside the motel, according to a report.

Police found a large amount of cash, a .22-caliber handgun, and the note used at United Bank inside the room.

Investigators also located a disguise Robbins used during the robbery, a report indicates.

Robbins was charged in the TD bank caper with:

• Conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery
• Criminal attempt at first-degree robbery
• Conspiracy to commit sixth-degree larceny
• Criminal attempt at sixth-degree larceny

For the incident at United Bank, he was charged with:

• First-degree robbery
• First-degree threatening
• Conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery
• Third-degree larceny
• Conspiracy to commit third-degree larceny

Robbins was held over the weekend on a $400,000 bond.

For the TD bank incident, Czernek was charged with:

• Conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery
• Criminal attempt at first-degree robbery
• Conspiracy to commit sixth-degree larceny
• Criminal attempt at sixth-degree larceny

She was charged for the United Bank caper with:

• First-degree robbery
• Conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery
• First-degree threatening
• Conspiracy to commit first-degree threatening
• Third-degree larceny
• Conspiracy to commit third-degree larceny

Czernek was held on a $300,000 bond.

Both were to appear in court on Monday.

Anyone with information on the robberies can contact the Manchester Police Department at 860-645-5500.