Essex County Sheriff Offering Reward for Info on Newark Bank Robber

Law enforcement authorities have posted a cash reward offer for information leading to the arrest of a suspected serial bank robber.

Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura said that his department’s Crimestoppers program will pay up to $2,500 for details about the whereabouts of the suspect who has robbed three banks in Essex and Passaic counties during the past four months.  

Fontoura said the suspect is described as approximately 5’ 8”, weighing 190 pounds and between the ages of 25 to 35.  

One of the banks, Valley National Bank, located at 22 Bloomfield Avenue in Belleville, was robbed twice. The first time was on November 6, 2012 and the second time on February 23, 2013.  During the second robbery at this location the suspect was wearing a red New York Yankees baseball cap and was caught on security camera.

The other banks he allegedly robbed are Sovereign Bank, located at 466 Bloomfield Avenue in Newark, on October 31, 2012, and Valley National Bank, located at 128 Market Street in Passaic, on December 8, 2012.

Anyone with information about these crimes is urged to contact Belleville police Detective Mark Johns at 973-450-3356 or Detective John McAloon at 973-450-3352.  All calls to law enforcement will be kept confidential.