Would-Be Bank Robber Crashes Getaway Car Into Cop Car: Authorities

Police say he had a shotgun, but fled empty-handed

A would-be robber fled a Long Island bank empty-handed Saturday morning and was captured after crashing his getaway car into a police vehicle, authorities said.

Prince Conteh, 26, of Lowell, Massachusetts, entered a Bank of America in Hempstead at about 11:50 a.m. and demanded cash from a woman employee, Nassau County detectives said. He was armed with a shotgun, they said.

The employee refused to allow Conteh to enter the teller area, so he left the bank empty-handed, police said.

While making his getaway, Conteh crashed his car into a Hempstead patrol car. He continued driving, but struck a utility pole.

Conteh hopped out of car, dropped his shotgun and ran, but officers caught him with help from people in the vicinity.

The officer whose patrol car was struck was taken to a local hospital and treated for neck and back pain, police said.

Conteh was charged with first-degree attempted robbery, second-degree assault and criminal use of a firearm.

There was no information as to whether he had obtained an attorney who could comment on the charges.

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