Suspect Wanted for Alleged Armed Robbery of Bank in Lodi, NJ
Police are searching for a suspect who allegedly robbed a bank in Lodi, New Jersey.
According to authorities, the suspect was wearing a tan trench coat when he entered the Capital One Bank branch on Essex Street in Lodi. Once inside the building, the suspect walked up to a bank employee and opened his trench coat; doing so allegedly revealed a black handgun with a brown handle.
After flashing the handgun, the suspect reportedly demanded that the teller hand over $50 and $100 bills from a cash drawer. However, the teller only gave the suspect a package of straps which are used to wrap currency.
The suspect then fled the scene on foot. After the suspect exited the building, bank employees contacted Lodi police.
Witnesses provided investigators with a description of the suspect. The suspect is reportedly a white or Hispanic male with a grey beard. According to witnesses, the suspect stands approximately 6-feet fall and is in his 50s or 60s. The suspect is said to have been wearing the long trench coat, a black wool hat, and dark sunglasses.
If the suspect is eventually identified and apprehended, he could face serious penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1, robbery is classified as a first degree felony when the offender uses a deadly weapon such as a firearm or a knife. A conviction on first degree armed robbery charges can potentially result in a sentence of 10–20 years in New Jersey State Prison.
The Lodi Police Department is asking members of the public to assist with the investigation into the alleged robbery. Anyone who has information about the suspect or the incident should contact Lodi detectives at 973-473-7600.
For further information about this case, read the NJ.com article entitled “Police: Bank Robber Demands Money, Escapes with Only Cash Wrappers in Lodi.”