Masked men rob Killingworth bank, tie up patrons

KILLINGWORTH, Conn. (WTNH) -- Police are investigating a bank robbery that occurred in Killingworth Monday afternoon.

Police said three men entered a TD Bank on Route 81 displaying weapons.

One witness told News 8 that one of the suspects said they were doing it for their family.

"I would say approximately six people lying on the ground," said one woman who did not want her identity released, "and we thought 'nothing happens in Killingworth' and it was a re-enactment of some kind, and low and behold this guy comes running out with a mask."

The suspects were direct about their demands: give up the money, stay quiet and no one gets hurt.

Some of the customers and employees were tied up during the robbery.

"He pushes us to the ground, and we stayed there," the woman said, "tell us not to move, and we were the last ones in, the tail end, and then after they left."

The three men then fled the bank with an undetermined amount of cash.

The suspects stole a car upon fleeing the scene.

"I noticed a clear bag of money," said witness Mark Gargiulo, "and they'd taken their masks off for some reason which was weird, so they walked by me, no masks or anything, gun drawn, they had it on the guys car they were stealing, so they're yelling at the guy, they take the keys, then they just went in the car and sped off."

The car was found abandoned shortly after, not far from the bank.

The incident didn't last long, but the memory of the event will last much longer.

"They kept shrieking and shrieking, and then I guess finally they got their act together and he said, 'don't move, we're not going to hurt you,'" the woman said.

"My mom tried to say something to the guy, and I noticed he had a gun so I just grabbed my mom and I was like not the right time to say anything," said Gargiulo.

No one was injured during the robbery.

The incident is under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact State Police at 860-399-2100.