UTICA, N.Y. -- Police have arrested a man who attempted to rob three banks in Utica.

Police say around 1:30 p.m., Lawrence Deptola, 49, of Utica, walked into the Key Bank on Genesee Street and ordered a teller to put money in a bag. Police say Deptola threatened the teller with a toilet plunger as a weapon. He also entered two others banks in the area.

When officers spotted a person matching the suspect's description, Deptola ran from police, but was quickly taken into custody.

Deptola has been charged with attempted robbery in the third degree.