Alleged bank robber — a woman and lawyer — charged

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GREENWICH — Police arrested a woman — a lawyer from the Upper West Side of Manhattan — who tried to rob a bank Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

Meighan Marie McSherry, 46, of New York City, was being held in connection with a holdup at Wells Fargo Bank at 137 W. Putnam Ave.

According to Greenwich police Lt. Kraig Gray, “The suspect reportedly provided a note to the bank teller demanding money and stating that she had a weapon. The suspect left the scene with money stolen from the bank.” The alarm went out around 3:20 p.m.

“A description of the suspect and her vehicle was broadcast to area officers. ... Within a few minutes, the suspect vehicle was observed on East Putnam Avenue near Church Street, a short distance from the bank. Officers stopped the vehicle and detained the female operator. Witnesses to the robbery subsequently positively identified the operator as the suspected bank robber, and she was placed under arrest. Evidence of the crime was found in the suspect’s vehicle. There were no injuries during this incident,” Gray said.

McSherry was charged with first-degree robbery and second-degree larceny. The amount of money was not disclosed by authorities.

McSherry was brought before state Superior Court Judge Auden Grogins Friday morning.

Her defense attorney, Jennifer De Castro Tunnard, spoke of her client’s legal career and said, “I am shocked by the allegations.”

DeCastro Tunnard told the judge her client had no knowledge of the alleged criminal behavior. She said McSherry had spent the previous evening in Pound Ridge, N.Y., and she had no memories after that and no knowledge of how she ended up in Greenwich.

McSherry did not post the $250,000 bond set by Grogins, and remained in custody. She did not speak during the court appearance.

McSherry has been listed as working for the Legal Aid Society of New York, but court records filed Friday said she is currently unemployed. According to legal databases, McSherry was working as a public defender in the Bronx.

Her address was listed as West 72nd Street near Central Park in New York City.

Her next court appearance was set for Sept. 8.

Robert.Marchant@scni.com