City man charged in downtown Schenectady bank robbery

PHOTOGRAPHER: Marc Schultz

Citizens Bank at 501 State St. after an August 2015 robbery.

SCHENECTADY — A 36-year-old Schenectady man has been arrested in connection with a bank robbery Monday at the downtown Citizens Bank branch.

Robert L. Costello has been charged with third-degree robbery and third-degree grand larceny, both felonies.

The robbery happened about 9:45 a.m. at the bank, 501 State St., when a man entered and passed a note to an employee, police said. The man, later identified as Costello, fled with $6,600, police said. No weapon was displayed or implied, police said.

Officers located Costello not far from the bank shortly after being called about the incident, police said. He was found with $6,600 in his possession, police said.

Costello is being held at Schenectady County jail while he awaits arraignment.