The suspected Long Island bank robber who went on the lam after removing a court-ordered ankle bracelet was ordered held on $1 million in Nassau County court Thursday.
Romell Nellis, 40, who is accused of knocking over four banks since December, was hauled into court after being arrested for two of the robberies while he was on the loose.
Nassau County District Court Judge Karen Moroney said in court Thursday that bail was “warranted” despite the state’s new bail reform law, because Nellis previously violated parole and has been convicted of a felony — making him not subject to the new law.
“Your history and actions show that you are a significant flight risk,” the judge said. “You are facing significant jail time.”
Nassau Assistant District Attorney Sara Schwartz said Nellis “cut off and disabled” the court-ordered monitoring device on Jan. 13, has multiple parole violations and is “a flight risk and will not likely return to court.”
“The defendant is facing a minimum of eight months on the first violation alone,” Schwartz said.
Nellis was arrested Jan. 8 and charged with robbing two banks but was released under the new bail laws — despite a judge’s failed attempt to have him held without bail.
He took off the ankle monitor and blew off the Jan. 13 court appearance.
He is charged with robbing two more banks last week and was re-arrested Sunday.
Moroney said Nellis can be bailed out with $500,000 in cash and $500,000 bond.
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