Use of (the) force: Darth Raider targets US bank

TIMES must be tough back at the Empire.

A bank robber dressed as Star Wars villain Darth Vader made off with an undetermined amount of money after brandishing a handgun at startled tellers inside a Chase bank branch on Long Island.

Detectives say the thief walked into the bank shortly before noon Thursday wearing a full head mask and a blue cape. The only part of the uniform that was out of place were his camouflage trousers.

Suffolk County police Detective Sergeant William Lamb said one customer at the time didn't think the theft was serious.

"The customer thought it might have been a joke and not a serious attempt at a robbery," Mr Lamb said.

The only other description of the suspect was his height: at least 6ft tall. He was last seen running across a parking lot.

A spokesman for Chase said bank officials were cooperating with the investigation. The holdup was the 15th in Suffolk County this year.