The Callicoon branch of the Bank of America was robbed Friday morning of more than $75,000 cash.

Two men from Connecticut were arrested shortly after. Charged with felony robbery and grand larceny are 58-year-old John Ryan and 58-year-old Scott C. Butterworth. Lt. Brian Shortall, New York State Police at Liberty, verified that all money taken had been recovered.

According to New York State Police at Liberty, Ryan was wearing a Bill Clinton mask when he entered the Main Street branch and demanded money. He allegedly told employees that he would detonate a bomb if they failed to follow his orders. “After securing the cash, Ryan cautioned the bank employees that the alleged bomb would be left behind to prevent reporting of the robbery,” the police report states.

New York State Police, aviation and bomb disposal units, along with Sullivan County Deputies were called to the scene. The New York State Police bomb disposal units processed the alleged explosive, determining it was not a bomb, but a “hoax.”

Police say Ryan fled the bank on foot with more than $75,000 in cash, before escaping by vehicle with the assistance of Butterworth.

New York State Police, with the help of troopers from adjoining counties, set up road checks throughout Sullivan and Orange counties and in Pennsylvania.

About an hour later, Trooper David Dively, New York State Police, saw the suspects traveling along State Route 52 in the Town of Shawangunk. With the assistance of the Crawford and Shawangunk Police Departments, he was able to apprehend the suspects, who were attempting to drive back to Connecticut.

Ryan, who is currently on Federal Parole for his involvement in six previous bank robberies, and Butterworth, were arraigned and placed in the Sullivan County Jail without bail.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the BCI at SP Liberty at (845) 292 6600. All calls will be kept confidential.