Brazen bank bandits caught on the roof, arrested

(Elmhurst-WABC, May 15, 2006) (WABC) -- A pair of suspected bank robbers are under arrest after being caught in the act in Queens. Police say the two were spotted trying to cut their way through a rooftop early this morning.

Eyewitness News has learned the two suspects were caught inside the Independence Bank at Gleane Street and Roosevelt Ave just after 1 a.m.

Police say 41-year-old Fred Pirro and 45-year-old Louis Spano, both of Brooklyn were found standing next to square hole that had been cut through the roof itself. If the bank's silent alarm had not gone off the robbers may have made with money from the vault.

They were questioned at the 110th Precinct in Queens. According to police, a security guard and an officer from the 110th Precinct knew something wasn't right as the brazen bandits began sawing their way through the roof.

Marco Mauceli, CGNY Renovations: "They probably had inside drawings to be precise above the safe."

They spotted the two suspects, armed with saws, crow bars, knee pads, and two-way radios, on the roof of the one-story bank.

CGNY Renovations Worker: "They were knowledgeable, they knew what they were doing."

Special workers on the scene this morning to repair the roof say the would be robbers broke the lights on top of the roof so people on the "7" train wouldn't see what they were doing.

Police say once the busted the lights, that's allegedly when the duo went to work.

Ariel Hernandez, Bank Customer: "They're kind of stupid...especially when a train's going by and people are watching them." The men had already drilled their way into the first floor ceiling, and were attempting to access the vault from the space between the ceiling and the roof.

But they were stopped by fast-moving officer and security guard, who climbed onto the roof and took the suspects into custody.

Frank Estrada, Bank Customer: "The burglars are everywhere and they're always trying get something that looks like it's fit to be attacked..."

Sources say this is the third attempt to break into the bank in the last few months.

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