Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – A Cicero-North Syracuse math teacher who was charged with the armed robbery of a bank accepted a plea deal Monday that will send him to prison for no more than five years.
Mark Gurniak was accused of robbing the Chase Bank at gunpoint in Minoa on May 14th. Gurniak said he needed the money to pay his gambling debts.
Gurniak will face no more than five years in prison, on the second-degree robbery charge.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 9th.
May 18, 2009:
Suspected bank robber a math teacher at C-NS
North Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Many students, teachers and administrators in the North Syracuse School District are reacting after learning a high school math teacher has been charged with the armed robbery of a bank.
Mark Gurniak was arrested Friday night in connection with Thursday’s hold up of the Chase Bank in Minoa.
Gurniak was very popular with students.
“I didn't believe it …no way that could've happened,” says sophomore Alishia Costello, “And when I got to school, everybody was talking about it.”
Senior Cara Fox says “he shares a room with my math teacher. Nice guy ... didn't think he'd do something so shocking.”
District superintendent Dr. Jerome Melvin was meeting with students Monday morning to answer any questions they may have.
“Once the police investigation and our investigation is completed, then we’ll make a determination of whether or not we’ll file charges with the school district clerk,’ Dr. Melvin told NewsChannel 9 Monday.
Melvin says that because Gurniak is accused of robbing the bank and has not been convicted, state law dictates that Gurniak can only be suspended with pay, a move the district made on Monday.
A letter was being sent home to all the parents of 10th through 12th graders.
The 28-year-old was arrested twice before on traffic-related charges, but neither arrest resulted in any convictions. One was related to a stolen license plate, but the case was adjourned in contemplation of dismissal so the school district could not take any action against him.
Melvin says Gurniak left early on Thursday. He was done teaching for the day, but was supposed to stay until 3:00 p.m. They paged him after 2:00 p.m. and he didn't respond.
A certified math teacher has been hired to take over Gurniak's classes.
Captain Bill Bleyle from the Manlius Police Department says they recovered a license plate at the bank Thursday which had come off the vehicle used by the robber.
He says it was taken from someone out of the Rome area. He also says the shotgun and vehicle were found during searches Friday night.
Gurniak is being held at the Onondaga County Justice Center. He is scheduled to be back in court Wednesday for a preliminary hearing.
Arrest made in Minoa bank robbery
May 16, 2009
Manlius (WSYR-TV) Manlius Police have made an arrest in connection with Thursday afternoon's robbery at the Chase Bank on North Main Street.
Police arrested 28-year-old Mark Gurniak, II at his Minoa home Friday night. He was charged with robbery in the first degree.
There is no word how much money was taken from the bank on North Main Street. Investigators have tracked the money down, along with the allleged gun used during the robbery.
Gurniak is being held at the Justice Center Jail. He is due back in court on May 20th.
Police release surveillance photos of robbery suspect, May 15, 2009
Manlius (WSYR-TV) – Surveillance photos have been released of the suspect accused of robbing the Chase Bank in Minoa Thursday afternoon.
The suspect is described as a white male, 5’ 7” to 5” 8” in height, with a small build and was last seen wearing a navy blue zip up hoodie, light colored pants, a ball cap with a light colored bill, white sneakers and a light colored mask.
He was armed with a camouflage-colored shotgun.
Police say a dye pack was also taken, which may have stained the suspect and money with a red or purple colored dye.
Anyone with information is asked to call the town of Manlius Police Department at 682-2212.
Armed robbery at Chase Bank in Minoa; suspect uses rifle
May 14, 2009
Minoa (WSYR-TV) – Police have begun an area-wide search for the man who robbed the Chase bank in the Village of Minoa Thursday afternoon.
The armed robbery took place just after 3:30 p.m. at the Chase Bank on North Main Street in the Village of Minoa.
Reports say the suspect, who had a rifle or some sort of shotgun, had his face covered; the suspect was seen leaving the scene, heading westbound in a maroon car.
A general description of a white male, in his late teens or early 20s was given to police crews. He was wearing a blue sweatshirt, and was also wearing camoflauge.
Initial reports say the suspect left the bank with a large amount of cash.
If you have any information, give Manlius Police a call at 682-2212.
