Parolee arrested for bank robbery

WASHINGTONVILLE – Police have arrested a Newburgh man four hours after he walked into the Hudson Heritage Federal Credit Union branch at 131 East Main Street in Washingtonville Wednesday morning and walked out with $5,150 in cash.

Charged with armed robbery and other crimes was Keith Kelsey, 21, of the City of Newburgh.

Kelsey was released on parole on May 5 from the Lakeview Shock Incarceration Facility in Brockton, NY for robbery in the third degree and grand larceny.

When he was arrested for this robbery, police recovered all the money, the gun he used, clothing and a ski mask he used, said Washingtonville Police Chief Stephen Pascal.

He said Kelsey had damaged his girlfriend’s car Tuesday night, and Wednesday morning, took it to a body shop for a repair estimate. He had no money so he walked to the bank, robbed it, and took off.

He went with his girlfriend to the State Police Barracks at Stewart Airport assuming they were going to answer questions about the damage to the car, when he was arrested on the robbery charges. Pascal said he confessed to the crime.

The investigation was a joint effort of Washingtonville Village Police, State Police, Blooming Grove Town Police and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.