Pair arrested in connection with Albany bank robbery

PHOTOGRAPHER: The Associated Press

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A man and woman suspected in the August robbery of a Trustco Bank in Albany were arrested.

Kamel Pickens and Jeliesa Centra, both 20, were charged with robbery in the first degree and remanded to Albany County Jail without bail.

On Aug. 24, it is alleged that Centra walked into the bank at 372 Northern Blvd. in the early afternoon and gave a note to a teller that said she had a gun in her waistband. The note ordered the teller to hand over money. After the teller complied, Centra exited the bank and entered a car being driven by Pickens.

The suspects then drove off.

There is no indication from the police how the two suspects were found and arrested.

Earlier this week, police in New Hampshire issued arrest warrants for Centra and Pickens.

They said Centra, who is formerly from Keene, N.H., entered the Savings Bank of Walpole and passed a note to the bank teller at about 1 p.m. last Tuesday. Police said a weapon was mentioned, but never brandished, and said Centra left with some cash.

At the time, New Hampshire authorities said Centra was also being investigated by New York authorities for her suspected involvement in an Aug. 15 bank robbery in Troy and the Aug. 24 bank robbery in Albany. The 20-year-old Pickens is accused in New Hampshire of being an accessory to the robbery and falsifying evidence.