Crime & Safety

South Jersey Man Admits Role In Pair Of Bank Heists: Authorities

Quintin Jones admitted he was involved in a pair of bank robberies last year.

A South Jersey man has admitted to his role in a pair of bank robberies, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced on Wednesday. Quintin L. Jones, 35, of Vineland, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with two counts of bank robbery. Jones and Nathan L. Wallace, also of Vineland, were accused of robbing a Cape Bank in Upper Deerfield Township on Oct. 11, 2016.

According to bank employees and video surveillance, two men wearing black hooded sweatshirts entered the bank, according to documents filed in the case and statements made in court. While one man crouched near the entrance and pointed what appeared to be a black revolver at employees, the other man approached bank tellers and demanded they put money in a bag.

Both robbers then fled with $24,926 in stolen money from the bank in what employees described to police as a tan or gold vehicle with a black soft-top. Security cameras at the bank and an employee also captured pictures of the car.

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Investigators identified the car as being a match for a Chrysler Sebring that was stolen on Sept. 22, 2016 during a carjacking in the parking lot of a Walmart in Mays Landing, Atlantic County.

On Oct. 15, 2016, New Jersey State Police responded to the scene of a car fire at a parking lot in Parvin State Park in Pittsgrove Township, Salem County. After firefighters extinguished the blaze, troopers determined this car was the same car stolen from Walmart.

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Further investigation revealed that Wallace and Jones had bought a gas can at a Walmart in Vineland and then took a cab to a Wawa gas station near Parvin State Park, police said. They then filled the can with gas shortly before the vehicle fire was reported, police said.

An employee at a local hotel in which Jones had been staying told police he saw Jones putting a large amount of cash in a bag. Acting on this and other information, State Police later obtained state arrest warrants for Wallace and Jones, along with search warrants for their homes.

Police say a search of Wallace's home revealed clothing consistent with the outfits worn by the two men during the Cape Bank robbery as well as a toy revolver, cash, gloves, and a car key that appeared to be for the Chrysler Sebring.

Jones also admitted robbing Newfield National Bank in Newfield, New Jersey, on Oct. 7, 2016 according to authorities. He said Wallace was also involved in that robbery. In that incident, they stole $5,557 before fleeing in the same stolen Chrysler Sebring, authorities said.

Jones faces a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each guilty plea. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 16, 2018.

Charges remain pending against Wallace, who is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Image via Shutterstock

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