Police Arrest Gillespie Center Resident on Bank Robbery Charges

A resident of the Gillespie Center homeless shelter in Westport was arrested Saturday on charges stemming from a bank robbery that occurred Tuesday in Norwalk, according to Lieutenant Jerry Shannon of the Westport Police Department.

At 11 a.m. Saturday, Westport Police learned that Timothy Nikolis, 24 — who was wanted in connection with the robbery of the Fairfield County Savings Bank, 26 Chestnut Hill Rd, Norwalk — was staying at the Gillespie Center. However, when officers arrived at the shelter across the street from the police station, Nikolis was not there.

Detective Phillip Restieri, Officer Marc Heinmiller along with Police Service Dog Lola and Officer Wolf were sent to find Nikolis.

He was located a short time later near the Levitt Pavilion, a short walk from the center. Nikolis attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended, according to Shannon. Norwalk Police responded to the Westport Police Department with an arrest warrant and took custody of Nikolis.

He was arrested on charges of robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and larceny.

His bond was set at $150,000.

Police are still searching for a second suspect in this case.

Surveillance video footage from the scene showed at least two suspects were involved in the robbery, according to Norwalk Police. The first suspect entered the bank and went to a teller station where he passed a note implying that he had a gun and demanded money; no weapon was displayed.  The second suspect remained near the front door as a lookout.  Once the robbery was completed the suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of money out the door

This is the first of two bank robberies that occurred in Norwalk this week. The second one occurred at another branch of Fairfield County Savings Bank on New Canaan Avenue. on charges related to that case.