(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the indictment of George Swanton, a 62-year-old man accused of robbing a Teacher’s Federal Credit Union earlier this month.
“This defendant allegedly entered the bank, threatened a teller and decided to steal cash that did not belong to him to finance a drug fueled binge and now he will be held accountable for his actions,” said District Attorney Tierney.
Based upon the investigation from the Suffolk County Police Department, on October 7, 2022, Swanton allegedly stole a minivan from a group home and used it the next day to drive to the Teachers Federal Credit Union branch on Vanderbilt Motor Parkway in Commack. Once there, he allegedly handed the teller a note threatening the teller and demanding money. The teller gave him $10,400 and he fled. Swanton spent the next two days at the Bay Shore Inn where he allegedly spent the money on drugs and prostitutes. On October 10, 2022, he allegedly called 911 claiming that he had a bomb strapped to his chest and allegedly admitting that he had robbed a bank. After officers responded, he let them in the room and told them that he had recently robbed a bank in Commack and that the money was in his pockets.
At the time of the robbery, Swanton was allegedly disguised in female clothing when he took the van and robbed the bank. The clothing was recovered from the motel room where he turned himself in.
Today, at his arraignment on the indictment, the Honorable Richard Horowitz ordered Swanton held on $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond or $300,000 partially secured bond. Swanton is being represented by Walter Green of the Legal Aid society. His next court date is November 14, 2022.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Carlos J. Benitez II of the Major Crime Bureau.