A man who had just robbed the HSBC bank at 14th Street and 6th Avenue ran into the subway station (F, L, 1, 2, 3, 9) where the dye pack in the money bag exploded yesterday morning. Dye packs are usually supposed to explode much sooner after the robber takes the money, but in this instance, it actually helped the robber get away, with the exploding red smoke irritating commuters and also freaking them out (Gothamist would have been running too if something exploded with red smoke on a subway platform). The NY Times consulted bankersonline.com for information about dye packs: "dye packs often contain tear gas, in addition to smoke and dye. The gas in the explosion is intended to briefly disorient the robber, in addition to dyeing both criminal and money." All that was left of the crime was some a reddish stain and some dyed money; police are looking for a black male, about 5'8"-5'9", in his late 20s and or early 30s. They ask for anyone with further information to call 1-800-577-TIPS.
