Cops use smoke trail to catch suspected bank robber

A bank robber's escape in Lynbrook was foiled when a dye pack -- inserted by a bank teller into stolen cash -- exploded and a trail of red smoke followed the robber as she ran into a nearby pizza parlor Wednesday afternoon, Nassau police said.

Natasha Benton, 26, of 898 Hancock St., Brooklyn, entered the HSBC Bank at 15 Atlantic Ave. in Lynbrook at 2:40 p.m. and gave the teller a note demanding money, police said.

The teller handed over cash -- and the dye pack -- and as Benton walked south on Atlantic Avenue the dye pack exploded and a passerby noticed the red smoke, the police said. Responding Lynbrook police officers saw the passerby chasing Benton as she entered Gino's Pizza, 455 Sunrise Hwy., and arrested her. All the money was recovered.

No injuries to five employees or two customers present at the time of the robbery were reported.

Benton is charged with robbery and was scheduled for arraignment Thursday in First District Court, Hempstead.

By BY JOSEPH MALLIA
Posted Friday, May 16, 2008

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