'Serious' comment throws off robber

RIVERHEAD, N.Y., Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Police in Suffolk County, N.Y., said a would-be bank robber fled the establishment after a teller asked if her threats were serious.

Investigators said a woman described as in her early 20s entered the Roslyn Savings Bank late Thursday afternoon and passed a note to a teller demanding cash and threatening use of a gun, Newsday reported Friday.

"When the teller questioned the robber if she was serious, the robber fled the bank in an unknown direction without proceeds," a police report said.

Police said the suspect is believed to have robbed the Bank of Smithtown Tuesday.