A career criminal with 34 prior arrests walked free after another NYC bank robbery spree—once again exposing how bail reform laws and progressive justice policies put public safety at risk.
Story Highlights
- Cornell Neilly, the “Burberry Bandit,” was released on supervised release after allegedly robbing five Manhattan banks in a month.
- Despite 34 prior arrests and outstanding warrants, Neilly was not held on bail, reigniting outrage over bail reform.
- Law enforcement and local officials warn that current bail policies enable repeat offenders and erode public trust in justice.
- Public pressure mounts for lawmakers to revise laws that prioritize offenders’ rights over community safety.
Repeat Offender Released Despite Extensive Criminal Record
Cornell Neilly, known as the “Burberry Bandit” for his signature attire during robberies, was arrested on September 15, 2025, following a spree of five alleged bank robberies across Manhattan within a single month. Instead of being held on bail, Neilly was granted supervised release, allowing him to return to the streets despite a documented history of 34 prior arrests and multiple outstanding warrants. This decision has intensified scrutiny of New York’s bail reform laws, which now frequently prevent pre-trial detention for non-violent offenses, even in cases involving repeat offenders.
Neilly’s criminal activities are not new; his pattern of non-violent bank heists began as early as 2012, when he first gained notoriety for robbing banks while wearing a Burberry-patterned shirt. Over the years, he has been repeatedly arrested for similar offenses, including a 2020 incident in Oswego, NY, where he was apprehended but released again under the same bail reform policies. Despite open felony cases and a clear pattern of recidivism, the law limits judges’ ability to detain him before trial, which many law enforcement officers argue undermines their mission to protect the public and maintain order.
Bail Reform Laws Fuel Public Safety Concerns
New York’s bail reform legislation, promoted as a means to prevent unnecessary detention for non-violent suspects, has been at the center of a heated debate. Critics, including police and local leaders, contend that these policies have created a revolving door for habitual offenders like Neilly. Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow and other officials have called out the system, arguing that the inability to keep repeat offenders off the streets emboldens criminals, increases community anxiety, and undermines the principle of law and order. Bank employees, customers, and city residents now face heightened risks, as offenders with extensive rap sheets walk free, seemingly unchecked by the very system meant to protect the public.
Law enforcement officials emphasize that while the intention behind bail reform was to address inequities in pre-trial detention, the execution has resulted in unintended consequences. Prosecutors and police are often powerless to request bail for repeat, non-violent offenders, leading to situations where public safety is compromised. As Neilly’s case demonstrates, the inability to distinguish between first-time offenders and habitual criminals has sparked outrage and calls for legislative change from New Yorkers who feel their communities have become less safe.
Calls for Legislative Action and Policy Reform Intensify
Neilly’s release has galvanized public and political momentum for reforming bail laws to better balance the rights of the accused with the safety of communities. Lawmakers and policy analysts now face mounting pressure to craft targeted reforms that allow judges discretion in detaining repeat offenders, especially those with extensive criminal histories. There is growing consensus among critics that the current “one-size-fits-all” approach fails to address the real-world risks posed by individuals like Neilly, whose repeated offenses highlight gaps in the existing system. While advocates of bail reform maintain that pre-trial detention should not be used for non-violent crimes, the Neilly case has forced a broader reckoning with the policy’s impact on victims, local businesses, and public trust in the justice system.
Economic losses to banks, increased security costs, and social anxiety are immediate consequences of these policies. In the long term, continued incidents may push lawmakers to revisit and revise bail reform, ensuring that habitual offenders cannot exploit legal loopholes to repeatedly endanger the public. The Neilly case stands as a stark warning for cities nationwide about the unintended dangers of prioritizing offender rights without adequate safeguards for law-abiding citizens and foundational community values.
Watch the report: Burbank Police Looking For “Burberry Bandit”
Sources:
‘Burberry Bandit’ with Dozens of Prior Arrests Walks Free After Latest NYC Bank Robbery Spree
Burberry Bandit Arrested for Oswego Chase Bank Robbery
‘Burberry Bandit’ with dozens of prior arrests walks free after latest blue city crime spree: report.