Repeatedly Visiting Safe Deposit Boxes At Bank While Wearing Bulletproof Vest Leads To Arrest: Sheriff

TOWN OF SOUTHEAST, NY — A frequent visitor to a Putnam County bank raised suspicion by being overdressed for the occasion, according to law enforcement.

Putnam County Sheriff Brian Hess says that a 36-year-old man from the Village of Brewster was arrested after an investigation into suspicious activity at a bank.

On Feb. 11, deputies responded to a Town of Southeast bank after being contacted by bank officials about a customer's concerning behavior, including frequent access to safe deposit boxes and wearing what seemed to be a bulletproof vest.

Members of the Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Unit then initiated an investigation.

On Tuesday, investigators found the man in the Village of Brewster and took him into custody without incident.

Authorities say that at the time of his arrest, the man was wearing a bulletproof vest and a ballistic helmet, and had several large knives and an air-powered imitation firearm.

After his arrest, he was taken to an area hospital for mental health evaluation and treatment.

Upon executing search warrants at the man's Village of Brewster home and on his safe deposit boxes at the bank, investigators found several electronic stun devices, additional bulletproof vests and ballistic plates, imitation firearms, and "other items of concern."

The Brewster man was charged with misdemeanor fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and misdemeanor unlawful purchase of body armor (first offense).

He was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Village of Brewster Justice Court on a later date.

The Sheriff's Office says that information about this incident was forwarded to the Putnam County Threat Assessment Management Team. They added that at this time, there is no ongoing threat to the community.