Greenbush man arrested in bank robbery
5/7/09 | 29 comments
update

Greenbush man arrested in bank robbery


Apparently no weapons used in heist, police say
By Nok-Noi Ricker
BDN Staff
BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY JOHN CLARKE RUSS
One of several Bangor Police patrol cars was parked for over an hour outside the Bank of America Union Street branch in Bangor after a robbery there Thursday morning, May 7, 2009. Buy Photo

BANGOR, Maine — It took police about four hours to catch up with the man they believe robbed the Bank of America branch on Union Street just after it opened at 9 a.m. Thursday, according to Sgt. Paul Edwards of the Bangor Police Department.

Troy Gay, 21, of Greenbush was arrested at about 1:15 p.m. on Perkins Street and charged with felony Class B robbery, punishable by up to 10 years in jail and a $20,000 fine. An undisclosed amount of money was recovered on Gay, Edwards said.

Catching the suspect was just luck, Edwards said.

Police allege that Gay is the masked man who walked into the Union Street bank just after the bank opened at 9 a.m. demanding cash.

“He said, ‘This is a robbery. I want the money,’” Bangor police Lt. Tim Reid, who leads the department’s investigative division, said while standing outside of the bank.

A bank employee called 911 at 9:11 a.m. to report the crime, and a bank alarm also alerted police to the robbery at the branch located on the corner of Union Street and Griffin Road.

Gay reportedly had his face covered with “some kind of a white, tight-fitting mask” and wore sunglasses during the robbery, Reid said.

After getting an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspect fled on foot, crossed Union Street and last was seen walking through the parking lot of the Mobil on the Run toward the U-Wash-It carwash, Edwards said earlier in the day while the search was still going on.

“No weapons are known to have been shown, and no injuries were reported,” he said.

During the robbery, Gay reportedly was wearing baggy jeans and a gray hooded sweat shirt with the words “New England Patriots” across the front. Police didn’t say whether he was wearing the same clothing when arrested.

Gay was picked up near the Union Street Towing impound lot in Bangor, where “he had some interest in a car,” Edwards said.

Garfield “Butch” Foss, owner of the impound lot, said Thursday night that he did not know why police arrested Gay, but knew they were looking for him.

“They called us and said if this guy shows up, call us,” Foss said, adding that is exactly what happened.

Gay had a car in the lot that Foss said he believed had been in a recent accident.

After the bank was robbed, police could be seen canvassing the New Capehart area in vehicles and on foot, talking to people walking by and some driving in the area. At one point just before 11 a.m., an officer was seen taking photos at the U-Wash-It.

“At this point, we’re assuming he probably had a vehicle” possibly parked at the convenience store or carwash, Reid said before Gay’s arrest.

State police canines were called in to help with the search and lost the suspect’s scent near the convenience store.

Bank surveillance cameras caught the suspect on tape and police officers searching the area were quickly sent an image to their mobile laptops.

A green car driven by an Old Town man who matched the description of the robbery suspect was stopped and searched on Hammond Street just after 1 p.m. and later released. Just before or while the car was being searched, other police officers were arresting Gay around the corner.

The bank was closed for the day. Bank customers who tried to enter the building Thursday morning found the front doors locked. Many of them went through the bank’s drive-through ATM to complete their transactions.

Gay was taken to the Penobscot County Jail. He is scheduled to have his first appearance in 3rd District Court on Friday, a jail official said. Gay was not wearing a New England Patriots sweat shirt when he was processed into jail, he said.

Gay has been arrested for other infractions. He was sentenced in April 2007 to three days in jail and a $1,500 fine for his conviction on two counts of allowing minors to consume or possess liquor and was fined $200 for possessing liquor as a minor during the same incident.

The bank at 1176 Union St. is just down the street from the TD Banknorth bank at 1067 Union St. that was robbed April 20. The suspect in the TD Banknorth case, Lawrence Mark Sullivan, 30, of North Stonington, Conn., was arrested a few days after that robbery in his home state.

Bank of America has three branches in Bangor. The Bangor Mall branch was robbed at gunpoint on Oct. 4, 2006, by Irishman Niall Clarke, 27, who was sentenced in April. District Judge John Woodcock sentenced Clarke to 33 months in prison for the armed robbery with an additional seven years because he brandished a gun.

nricker@bangordailynews.net

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Comments
29 comments on this item
On 5/7/09 at 5:23 PM, Nikkee wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Good work again Bangor PD!

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On 5/7/09 at 5:23 PM, dkenzie77 wrote: Click here to view hidden comment         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
On 5/7/09 at 5:29 PM, redsoxnation wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The inmates at Maine State prison will be excitred to here that a Gay is heading there for an extended stay.

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On 5/7/09 at 5:35 PM, JillT1981 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The Bangor P.D. has had it's fair share of excitement over the past couple of months, haven't they? Most excitement they've ever seen I think. WTG!! And can I just say.....What a friggin IDIOT!!!!!!!

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On 5/7/09 at 5:42 PM, DougLavigne wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Darwin Award !!!

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On 5/7/09 at 5:43 PM, backshore wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Yay Bangor PD! Thanks for a great job!

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On 5/7/09 at 6:18 PM, Mainelyme wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

dkenzie77

Honestly Danforth.

You're just like a devoted little dog.

All I have to do is say crap and you sit right up and beg!

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On 5/7/09 at 6:49 PM, twinmom32 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

good...stinking' scumbag...I'm so glad he was caught!

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On 5/7/09 at 6:50 PM, katahdinfan101 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

About 8 yrs ago my son had his truck stolen in Bangor, the Bangor PD officer that took the report told us we would never see the truck again. 1 hr later we found it and once again the officer showed up. He told us we will never find who did it. A little while later a kid showed up with his dad to move the truck, After a conversation he told us who had stolen the truck. Well, we reported the name to the officer that had shown up and he said Oh yeah we know that guy. We never heard from the police again. I don't have any faith in the Bangor PD, unless they are stopping people for speeding or something. Now that, all police officers are good at.

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On 5/7/09 at 6:53 PM, dkenzie77 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

but mainelyme your the one starting the chit. just shut your mouth and it will all be good, you post way too much chit that is not necessary dude

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On 5/7/09 at 7:33 PM, lightningtrip wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Troy GAY , robbed a bank the day after same sex marriage was allowed in the great state of Maine....how funny...

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On 5/7/09 at 8:16 PM, jtjclark wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I'm disgusted he was wearing a Patriots sweatshirt...I hope they never allow him to wear one again.

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On 5/7/09 at 8:16 PM, bxr3main wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I knew it was Gay that robbed it. Don't drop the soap mr.gay.....

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On 5/7/09 at 9:50 PM, twelch1980 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I will be the first to say what this guy did is stupid. But leave the gay jokes out of it. Show maturity and act like adults. Its like reading a high school locker room wall. Geez

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On 5/7/09 at 10:51 PM, juggernautfury04 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

might want to see if he has done this before recently.... just a hint.... ahem.

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On 5/8/09 at 12:53 AM, Cheeky wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

he prob wouldn't have been caught if he didn't express interest in a vehicle at a business of all places the nummy. Other than that it sounds like he was doing alright. He prob got like 2500 or some sheit anyways.

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On 5/8/09 at 12:55 AM, Cheeky wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

another convicted felon--

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On 5/8/09 at 3:11 AM, dkenzie77 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

wow all ty for the thumbs down, did i make a point and you all hate it. Or you all related to mainelyme

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On 5/8/09 at 4:59 AM, Studog wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

katahdinfan101 - "Boo Hoo, 10 years ago Bangor PD didn't do what I wanted." "Boo Hoo Clearly that make all of Bangor PD bad." "Boo Hoo I'm reading a story about Bank Robbers but I still feel justified in complaining about kids joy-riding in my truck."

Get over it. I'm already sick of hearing your story, I can't imagine having to be the cop to listen to your complaint.

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On 5/8/09 at 6:17 AM, Kayla21 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

at times like these it's nice to see I can turn to the bdn for some comic relief. Thank you to all the posters.

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On 5/8/09 at 9:25 AM, vchapes wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Studog, i have to agree with Katahdinfan.... Try having about 10 grand stolen and the cops saying OH WELL. The kid that robbed those 15 or so houses in Holden.....didn't get sh*t for robbing MY house. AND some of the stuff stolen, was PAWNED in bangor and brewer, the jackass was stupid enough to sign the slip and give his personal information, yet the police wouldnt do ANYTHING. They sure did arrest his friend for GIVING BACK something when he realised it was stolen. I'm surprised they caught this kid!!

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On 5/8/09 at 10:09 AM, momof2inmaine wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Probably the same guy that did the bank robbery in Howland! Maybe the police should have did a little more investigation on this guy before they let him go free! Maybe they should have searched hmmm lets say the dog house to find the money!!!

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On 5/8/09 at 10:43 AM, umochik wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Well, it just has to be said that I know Troy very well. His last name is actually Niles. That's what he was known as in school k-12. His step-father adopted him but he never did legally change his last name over from Gay to Niles. 1.) Troy is in a very bad time in his life right now, but what he did is not inexcusable. He has been caught and now he will have to deal with the consequences just like every other criminal out there. 2.) All of you 13 year olds who think it's funny to make fun of him because of his last name need to dig your heads out of the sand and seek some counseling for your very serious homophobia issues---SOON! (and quite obviously accept the fact that love is finally equal in Maine!) I wish Troy the best and hope that he learns something from what he did and gets his head on his shoulders again--who knows maybe jail time will help him. I know a lot of people who love and care about him hope so..

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On 5/8/09 at 11:19 AM, barryinphoenix wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

freakin bush...

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On 5/8/09 at 1:35 PM, drc480 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

hey,,, all u liberal out there,, this guy should spend a few days in the Bangor City Jail,,, just for a few days,,,,,, let him go and pick up trash on the Bar Harbor Road,,,,,,, no water, nothing to eat,,,,, 7 till 9 and a few slaps on the face,,, no bath, give him water and a little bread,,,,, the bum

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On 5/8/09 at 5:13 PM, SuzieQ wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

UMOCHIK - Niles huh? Would this be any relation to Eric Niles who went on a little killing, kidnapping, and suicide mission last year around this time. He also was from Greenbush.

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On 5/11/09 at 9:57 PM, OTgrl1234 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

no they aren't related & eric niles wasn't from greenbush. so keep trying.

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On 5/14/09 at 8:52 AM, xcheeriechic07x wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

alright, come on now really? making fun of a last name? how matureee. i just want you to know that you are a real cool kid!!! what are you 11 years old mannn? geez. first of all none of you can say crap because you dnt even know the whole story, seriously who are you to say shidddd. you have no idea what this kids been through alrightttt? lemme tell you something, he has a family that loves him, yeahhh thats me too. Troy NILES is a good kiddd and if you only knew then maybe you wouldnt be saying ignorant stuff like that. he might have robbed the bank but it doesnt make you any better to sit here saying stupid stuff like that about it. and second of all who the hell do you think gets people into stuff like this??? its not like they are gonna do it just to do it, it all starts with rude and stuck up people like you! Troy is actually doing very well right now so lay offff, he didnt hurt anyone, he never planned too. If you dont know the whole story and if you have nothing nice to say then i suggest you shut the hell up. Let me ask you something, if someone in your family did something like this, would you appreciate people who dont even know them was saying disrespectful things about it. and thank you for the person who stood up for troy. :) i love him right to death and hopes that he'll get better from this experience.!! he has a good heart. SO TWINMOM32, THINK ABOUT IT! AND LIGHTINGTRIP? haha you are reall funny, i hope you think your real cool for saying that one, haha...your a prick! JTJCLARK?? SERIOUSLY, STFU. and lets seee, DRC480 YOU HAVE SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOUR HEAD, MAYBE YOU SHOULD GET THAT CHECKED. you should all probably find something better to do then say stuff about someone you dont even know, aiggght.

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On 6/23/09 at 12:24 PM, Erika2 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

xcheeriechic07x ...What the hell do you expect people to do? You want the community to cheer him on? Lets ask the bank teller at the bank he robbed what she thinks should happen to him !! Seriously...are you high too? I dont doubt he has family that loves him. I think his family should be very, very disappointed (just my own opinion) but no one said that his family shouldn't love him any less.

The jokes about his last name....yeah, sure its immature but way to ironic not to comment about!

This place is for people to make comments about the articles in the BDN.....AND, I must add, we all do so well saying whatever it is that's on our minds....it's called Freedom of Speech...blame Troy for the dumba*s decisions hes made and not the people excercising the right to say whatever the heck they want!!!

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