Man Admits Robbing 2 Brick Banks During 8-Heist Spree: Prosecutor

Trenton, NJ -- A Barnegat man admitted robbing two Brick Township banks among eight heists he committed in 2013 and 2014, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced Tuesday.

Steven Wisnowski, 32, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter J. Sheridan in Trenton federal court to an eight-count superseding indictment charging him with the bank robberies.

Wisnowski admitted that between Oct. 30, 2013 and Jan. 7, 2014, he went on a crime spree and robbed eight banks, seven of which were in New Jersey, and one of which was in New York:

• PNC Bank, Edison; Oct. 30, 2013
• TD Bank, Brick; Nov. 7, 2013
• Santander Bank, Brick; Nov. 15, 2013
• Ridgewood Savings Bank, Bayside (N.Y.); Nov. 22, 2013
• Columbia Bank, Edison; Nov. 27, 2013
• TD Bank, Toms River; Dec. 2, 2013
• PNC Bank, Aberdeen; Dec. 9, 2013
• Fulton Bank, Edison; Jan. 7, 2014

Wisnowski used a similar procedure for each robbery: he entered the banks wearing hats, hooded jackets, and wigs to conceal his identity, approached the bank tellers, and demanded money. In some instances, Wisnowski made the tellers believe he was armed and also threatened some tellers with violence, prosecutors said.

During the Columbia Bank robbery, Wisnowski appeared to point something at the teller from under his clothing, as if he had a gun. Wisnowski then demanded money, stating: “Give me all your hundreds.” As the teller gathered the money, Wisnowski counted backwards from 10. He then fled with the money, prosecutors said.

During the Fulton Bank robbery, Wisnowski gave a teller a manila envelope and stated, “Give me what I want and nobody gets hurt. I want large bills.” He then pulled up his sweatshirt as if he had a gun. The teller gathered the money and placed it in the envelope, after which Wisnowski fled, Fishman's office said.

Law enforcement tracked Wisnowski’s vehicle to the scene of the Fulton Bank robbery. Officers approached Wisnowski as he exited the bank and ordered him to the ground at gunpoint. Wisnowski threw the envelope filled with cash and fled. Law enforcement officers pursued Wisnowski and apprehended him moments later.

The bank robbery charges to which Wisnowski pleaded guilty each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 11, Fishman's office said.

Fishman praised special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea. He also thanked the Edison, Aberdeen, Brick, Toms River, and New York City police departments, and the Middlesex, Ocean, and Monmouth County prosecutors’ offices for their contributions to the case.

(Steven Wisnowski, via Patch files)