United States Charges Two Bronx Men with Robbing Putnam County Bank

April 21, 2010 - PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; JOSEPH DEMAREST, JR., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"); Commissioner GEORGE N. LONGWORTH of the Westchester County Police Department (“WCPD”); Acting Superintendent Colonel JOHN P. MELVILLE of the New York State Police (“NYSP”); DAVID CHONG, Public Safety Commissioner of the White Plains Police Department (“WPPD”); CHRISTOPHER SATRIALE, Chief of the Bronxville Police Department; MICHAEL R. JOHNSON, Chief of the Carmel Police Department; and NORMAN CAMPION, Chief of the Briarcliff Police Department, announced today the filing of a complaint against KARRIEM BARROW and CARL FARRINGTON, charging them with robbing the TD Bank on Route 6 in Mahopac, New York.

According to the complaint filed today in White Plains federal court:

On March 16, 2010, FARRINGTON entered the TD Bank on Route 6 in Mahopac, brandished a 0.38 caliber revolver, and robbed the bank. BARROW then picked FARRINGTON up in a green Chevrolet Trailblazer and the two drove to the Town Lyne Motel in Cortlandt Manor.

BARROW and FARRINGTON were charged with one count of aggravated bank robbery and one count of using, carrying or possessing a firearm in furtherance of crime of violence. The bank robbery count carries a maximum a sentence of 25 years in prison and the weapons charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison.

BARROW and FARRINGTON were presented on the charges before United States Magistrate Judge GEORGE A. YANTHIS in White Plains federal court today and held without bail.

Mr. BHARARA praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI, and the New York State, Westchester County, White Plains, Bronxville, Briarcliff, and Carmel police departments. Mr. BHARARA said, "Today's arrests stopped two allegedly dangerous bank robbers in their tracks. I commend the Westchester County Bank Robbery Task Force for their exceptional work in this case, and look forward to continuing to work with the FBI and all the members of the Task Force to hold bank robbers in Westchester County to account for their crimes." He said the investigation was continuing.

FBI Assistant Director DEMAREST said, “The success of this investigation shows the importance of the FBI’s continued commitment to multi-jurisdictional bank robbery cases. The ad hoc task force that made this case worked not only tirelessly, but cohesively, to achieve a result that boosts public safety.” Westchester County Commissioner LONGWORTH said, "There was an unprecedented level of cooperation among law enforcement in Westchester County and beyond to investigate and identify and apprehend the suspects we believe are responsible. We formed a multi-agency task force and provided space at county police headquarters for the task force to do its work. This approach could form a model for how we proceed in the future to investigate major crime patterns in Westchester that cross jurisdictional boundaries."

New York State Police Acting Superintendent, Colonel JOHN P. MELVILLE, said, "The cooperative work of the United States Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, State Police, Westchester, White Plains, Carmel, Bronxville, and Briarcliff Police Departments has resulted in a thorough multijurisdictional investigation and subsequent arrests. These multi-agency efforts are integral in deterring this type of crime from occurring and protecting our communities and neighborhoods.”

White Plains Public Safety Commissioner CHONG said, "The arrest of these two brazen and dangerous alleged criminals once again shows the resolve of law enforcement to work collectively as a team. This should be a clear message to the criminals that law enforcement partners cooperate and communicate as one."

Bronxville Police Chief SATRIALE said, "On behalf of the Village of Bronxville Police Department, I am relieved that these alleged bank robbers have been apprehended. I would like to take this opportunity to offer kudos to the many law enforcement agencies who worked continually with a sense of diligence and collaboration to effect these arrests. The process was a long and arduous one for our department, but clearly the work and intense investigation has been a worthwhile and fruitful effort."

Carmel Police Chief JOHNSON said, "In order to apprehend criminals with regards to major cases that cross multi-jurisdictional boundaries, it is necessary to combine resources and intelligence of the law enforcement agencies to bring about a successful conclusion to such an investigation. On behalf of the Town of Carmel Police Department I would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, and all the other local law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation."

Briarcliff Manor Chief CAMPION said, "The Briarcliff Manor Police Dept. is pleased to have been a part of this investigation that culminated in the arrest of two individuals alleged to have carried out the bank robbery. The cooperation among many law enforcement agencies proved to be very effective. The effort of the countywide task force shows that cooperation among different law enforcement agencies can and does provide greater investigative power. It is a testament to the professional investigative work that was carried out that these two individuals were identified and arrested without incident or injury."

This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorney DOUGLAS B. BLOOM is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.