East Haven man faces attempted bank robbery charges

Allegedly demanded funds from account that was overdrawn

An East Haven man has been arrested after allegedly attempting to rob a bank by demanding to withdraw money from an overdrawn account while armed with a firearm, police said.

Richard Staar, 73, was arrested when pulling off of Interstate 95 after fleeing the Bank of America at 170 Main St. in East Haven on Wednesday, according to the East Haven Police Department.

Police on Wednesday received a 911 call from an employee at Bank of America who said a man armed with a gun was demanding money from his bank account.

When officers arrived, the suspect “was immediately identified” as Staar.

Investigators found that Staar entered the Bank of

America and tried to draw money from an account with insufficient funds.

The bank employee told police Staar became irate when told that he would not be able to withdraw money because his account was already overdrawn, according to police.

The employee told police Staar “told her that he was going to take out his gun and rob the bank if she did not let him withdraw the money he requested.”

Investigators began a search for Staar after learning he fled in a 2024 Chevrolet Camaro, police said.

Detective Jon Trinh, who was driving north on Interstate 95, saw the Camaro headed south on the highway in Branford and relayed his location.

Other officers got into position and waited for him to exit the highway, according to police.

Staar exited the highway at the Exit 52 off-ramp and headed north on North High Street where he was pulled over and taken into custody.

Staar was transported to the East Haven Police Department and charged with criminal attempt to commit first-degree robbery, first-degree threatening with a firearm and second-degree breach of peace, police said.

He was being held in lieu of a $150,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in court in New Haven on Thursday, according to police.