Police: Homeless man released under bail reform wanted in third bank robbery

Authorities say 40-year-old Romell Nellis walked inside the Roslyn Savings Bank on Hempstead Turnpike in West Hempstead on Saturday afternoon.

News 12 Staff

Feb 10, 2020, 11:03 AM

Updated 1,748 days ago

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Police are searching for a homeless man who they say has repeatedly robbed banks in Nassau County.
Authorities say 40-year-old Romell Nellis walked inside the Roslyn Savings Bank on Hempstead Turnpike in West Hempstead on Saturday afternoon, handed the teller a note and demanded money.
The suspect then took off with the cash and is still on the loose.  However, investigators say they know exactly who he is because Nellis has done this before.
Police say on Jan. 8, Nellis was arrested for allegedly robbing the same bank and another bank in Valley Stream. However, Nellis was released from jail under the state's new bail reform law.

Some people say he should have stayed behind bars.
"Bail reform to some extent is good for people that get arrested for non-violent crimes, you shouldn't have to have bail for those individuals. So incarcerating those individuals is not a good idea. But individuals that commit felonies, there should be some kind of bail for those individuals. We shouldn't just let those people back out on the street again,” says Joe Guida, of West Hempstead.
Police say there are warrants out for Nellis' arrest because he didn't show up to court when he was supposed to.
If you know where he is, you are asked to call Nassau Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.