Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the M&T Bank at 6560 Fourth Section Road in Sweden at 4:09 p.m. on April 7 for the report of a robbery. Deputies and Brockport Police officers quickly secured the scene and began gathering information. They determined a man entered the bank wearing a reflective vest with his face covered with a cloth mask carrying a duffle bag. He displayed a handgun and ordered everyone inside the women’s bathroom. The suspect forced the manager to open the safe, stole $452,600, and left in a blue Honda Civic. Deputies broadcast the description of the suspect and vehicle.
At about 4:42 p.m., a concerned citizen called 911 saying there was a suspicious blue Honda Civic in the area of Lake Road and Roosevelt Highway in Hamlin. A man was reportedly wiping down the car and removing the license plates. The witnesses also saw a black SUV with Florida license plates in the area. Deputies scoured the area and located the vehicle in the rear parking lot of 1800 Lake Road. Further investigation led deputies to a suite in the vicinity, where they located evidence of the robbery, including the money. Two individuals were detained for investigation.
One man, John Savage, 49, of Rochester was arrested and charged with Robbery in the First Degree (Class B-Felony) and Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (Class D-Felony). Savage was transported to the Monroe County Jail and arraigned in CAP Court, held on $50,000 cash, or $50,000 bond.
“This incident terrorized the bank employees. The investigation exemplifies exceptional teamwork and the synchronized investigation of multiple crime scenes, resulting in the apprehension of a dangerous criminal and the recovery of a significant sum of money,” said Sheriff Todd K. Baxter. “The vigilant community member, who saw something suspicious and called 911, leading deputies to the suspect, is to be commended. We’re grateful for the support and continued partnership of the Brockport and Greece Police Departments.”
The investigation is ongoing. Investigators believe the suspect vehicle traveled west on Fourth Section Road out of the bank parking lot, went north on Redman Road, east on Roosevelt Highway before stopping near 1703 Lake Road. Anyone with video of the vehicles along that route, or anyone with information is asked to email mcsotips@monroecounty.gov, or call 911.
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