That Was Quick: Point Pleasant Man Arrested In Brick Within Minutes Of Armed Robbery of Lakewood Bank

Cooperation and communication led to the arrest of a man sought in connection with the armed robbery of a Lakewood bank just 4 miles from the scene on Wednesday, police said.

Howard Jay Altman, 46, of Point Pleasant, has been charged with theft and armed robbery, and is being held in the Ocean County Jail, Toms River, in lieu of $85,000 bail, no 10 percent, set by Municipal Court Judge Scott Basen. Lakewood police said.

The incident began at 10:25 Wednesday morning, when police were called to the Fulton Bank, 2005 East Kennedy Blvd., Lakewood, for a report of an armed robbery, Lakewood police said.

Lakewood Officer Daniel Tworkowski, who was already in the area doing checks of local banks, arrived within minutes and spoke with witnesses, then relayed very detailed information pertaining to the suspect, his vehicle and possible destination, police said.

With officers from both Lakewood and the Brick Township police department searching for the suspect, Officer Michael Mooney Jr. of Lakewood, as well as Brick Sgt. David Bedrosian and Officer Mark Storch, saw the wanted vehicle at the intersection of Route 88 and Lanes Mill Road, police said.

The officers pulled the car over as it approached the Dorado commuter parking lot on Lanes Mill, with assistance from other arriving officers from Brick and Lakewood. Altman, the driver, was arrested without incident and taken back to the Lakewood Police Department, they said.

The commuter plaza is 4 miles from the bank, according to Google Maps, with an approximate drive time of 9 minutes.

Further investigation conducted by Lakewood Detective Peter Aakjer and Officer Nathaniel Reyes resulted in the charges against Altman, Lakewood police said.

At this time the investigation is continuing with the assistance of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI Unit. Additional information will be released as it becomes available, police said.

(Photo courtesy Ocean County Corrections Department)