Man Charged With Robbing Bergen County Bank

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A Union County man has been arrested and charged with robbing a Little Ferry bank in January, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.

Israel Cosme, 36, of Elizabeth, was charged with bank robbery in federal court Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer, Fitzpatrick said. He was originally arrested on Jan. 24 in connection with two bank robberies he allegedly committed in Maryland.

Cosme allegedly robbed a TD Bank Jan. 15. According to bank employees and video surveillance, Cosme allegedly handed a bank teller a note demanding money and told the teller that he was carrying a weapon in his pocket and would shoot her if she did not comply with his demands, Fitzpatrick said in a news release.

Cosme allegedly then reached over the counter, grabbed the teller by the shirt and took money out of her hand, the attorney said.

Cosme was apprehended outside a hotel room in Maryland. Authorities found a pair of blue jeans and gray hooded sweatshirt that resembled clothes he was reportedly wearing during the robbery, Fitzpatrick said.

Cosme faces a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 if found guilty.

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