Farmingdale Man Accused Of Robbing 2 Monmouth Banks In 4 Days, Authorities Say

TRENTON, NJ — A Farmingdale man accused of robbing two Monmouth County banks allegedly threatened to shoot a teller at a Wall Township bank if he did not receive money, federal authorities said Tuesday.

Michael R. Volek, 53, was arrested Monday in connection with the robberies of the two TD Bank branches, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick said Tuesday. Volek appeared Tuesday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas Arpert in Trenton federal court and was detained, officials with Fitzpatrick's office said.

Volek is accused of robbing TD Bank branches in Tinton Falls on Friday and in Wall on Monday, authorities said.

In the Tinton Falls robbery, Volek allegedly handed a teller a note that read “put the money in bag now and nobody get hurt.” Volek then told the bank teller “put the money in the bag. Come on, I’m desperate,” authorities said. The teller handed Volek some cash and he left the bank, they said.

Volek also is accused of robbing the TD Bank in Wall on Monday. Authorities allege he handed a teller
a note that read “Put the money in bag now. This is no joke. I will shoot you. $100. $50.” He then told the teller “Give me money. If you don’t, I’m going to cut you.” authorities said. The teller handed Volek some cash and he left the bank, and he was arrested later that day at a motel in Neptune, authorities said.

Volek currently is charged with a single count of bank robbery, which carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, Fitzpatrick's office said.

Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Red Bank Resident Agency, Jersey Shore Gang and Criminal Enterprise Task Force (which includes representatives from the Bradley Beach, Brick Marlboro, and Toms River police departments and the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office); the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office; the Tinton Falls Police Department; Wall Township Police and Neptune
Township Police with the investigation leading to Volek’s arrest.

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