SWEDEN — Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies recovered more than $450,000 stolen during a bank robbery after a quick response and tip from a concerned citizen Monday afternoon.
Deputies and Brockport Police officers responded to the M&T Bank at 6560 Fourth Section Road in the Town of Sweden at approximately 4:09 p.m. April 7 for a reported robbery.
Authorities determined a man entered the bank wearing a reflective vest with his face covered by a cloth mask and carrying a duffle bag.
The suspect displayed a handgun and ordered everyone inside the women’s bathroom.
He then forced the manager to open the safe, stole $452,600 and fled in a blue Honda Civic.
At about 4:42 p.m., a concerned citizen called 911 reporting a suspicious blue Honda Civic in the area of Lake Road and Roosevelt Highway in the Town of Hamlin, where a man was reportedly wiping down the car and removing the license plates.
The witness also reported seeing a black SUV with Florida license plates in the area.
Deputies located the vehicle in the rear parking lot of 1800 Lake Rd. and further investigation led them to a nearby suite where they found evidence of the robbery, including the stolen money.
John J. Savage, 49, of Rochester was arrested and charged with robbery in the first degree, a class B felony, and grand larceny in the second degree, a class D felony.
Savage was transported to the Monroe County Jail and arraigned in CAP Court, held on $50,000 cash or bond.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities believe the suspect vehicle traveled west on Fourth Section Road out of the bank parking lot, went north on Redman Road, east on Roosevelt Highway before stopping near 1703 Lake Road.
Anyone with video of the vehicles along that route or with information is asked to email mcsotips@monroecounty.gov or call 911.
