Two Good Samaritans Help Catch Bank Robber

A suspected bank robber was arrested Saturday morning in West Haven with the help of two good Samaritans.

Police received a call after 10 a.m. on a report of a robbery at the New Alliance Bank on 322 Main Street.

The suspect, 40-year-old James Bieu entered the bank and presented a teller with a note demanding cash. When the teller hesitated, Bieu verbally threatened stating hand over the money or he will shoot the teller in the head. After retrieving the cash Bieu fled through the front door.

Police said two customers who were inside of the bank chased after Bieu as he fled on foot along Main Street towards Washington Ave.

Bieu then jumped into a waiting car driven by a heavy-set white female with dirty blond hair, and the two customers jumped in the car after him and managed to pull Bieu out of the vehicle.

The two customers were able to hold Bieu until police arrived. Police retrieved the stolen cash and arrested Bieu.

Bieu was charged with Robbery in the 1st Degree, Threatening with a firearm, Larceny 2nd Degree and Failure to appear in the 1st Degree on an earlier arrest. He is being held on bond.

Police are still searching for the woman driving the getaway car who managed to flee the scene.

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