Man Arrested After Trying to Rob Bank With Shotgun: Police

HEMPSTEAD, NY - A Massachusetts man was arrested after trying to rob a Hempstead bank with a shotgun on Saturday morning, according to Nassau Police.

Prince Conteh, 26, armed with the shotgun, entered the Bank of America on 3 Main Street at about 11:50 a.m. and demanded cash from an employee, police said.

When employee refused to allow him to enter the teller area, he left the bank without proceeds, according to police.

There were five bank employees and two customers in the bank at the time of the robbery.

While fleeing in his car, Conteh was involved in an accident with one of the responding Hempstead police officer’s car, then continued on and hit a pole, police said.

He got out of the car and fled on foot, eventually dropping the shotgun nearby, police said.

Hempstead officers were able to apprehend Conteh with help from civilians and the shotgun was recovered, police said.

The officer involved in the accident, who suffered neck and back pain, was taken to a local hospital where he was treated and released, police said. No other injuries were reported.

Conteh is being charged with first degree attempted robbery, second degree criminal use of a firearm, second degree criminal possession of a weapon and second degree assault, police said.