When a six-foot man strode into a Long Island bank yesterday dressed as sci-fi super villain Darth Vader, customers and staff thought it was a joke.

But they soon realised how serious the man was when he produced a handgun and demanded cash.

Police in New York are now trying to trace the phantom menace, who stuffed cash into a bag and disappeared.

Using excessive Force: New York police have released CCTV images of a man dressed as Darth Vader robbing a Long Island bank as customers cower

The man entered the Chase Bank in East Setauket around 11:30am, wearing the distinctive Darth Vader mask, a long black cloak and - slightly out of character - camouflage combat trousers.

One customer thought the outfit was so funny that he started joking with the dark lord as he tried to pull off his heist.

Suffolk County Police Detective Sergeant William Lamb said: 'The customer thought it might have been a joke, and not a serious attempt at a robbery.'

But staff and customers were left in no doubt when the man then produced a handgun from a bag and screamed, 'This is not a joke' to cashiers.



Darth Raider: Staff and customers thought it was a practical joke when the man, dressed in distinctive Star Wars helmet and cape, first entered the bank

Counting the cost: The Chase Bank in Setauket, New York, remains closed as staff count the tills to see how much the bandit made off with

Police have released CCTV images of the man stuffing the money into a drawstring bag featuring a New York Yankees logo.

As he left the robber punched another customer who tried to stop him.

The bank was still checking its drawers last night to figure out how large his take was, Detective Lamb said.