2 Arrested in Lawrence, Trenton Bank Robberies

Lawrence Township, NJ -- A convicted killer and his girlfriend have been arrested in connection with the robbery of Santander Bank on Franklin Corner Road earlier this month, as well as two other banks, said on Wednesday.

Martin Brown, 56, of Trenton, and Bienka Jean-Charles, 27, of Lawrence Township, were arrested on Tuesday without incident following a bank robbery that occurred at the PNC Bank on Main Street in Lawrenceville.

In each case, police allege Brown robbed the bank, and Jean-Charles was the getaway driver. Brown has also been linked to the robbery of the Bank of America at 360 Hamilton Avenue in Trenton on Aug. 11.

Brown was convicted of strangling his niece to death in 1998, and released from jail last year, according to nj.com.

Brown and Jean-Charles were arrested around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, following the alleged robbery at PNC Bank.

Brown was wearing all dark clothing, a fake mustache, large sunglasses, a multi colored hat with fake dreadlocks, police said. He handed the teller a note demanding money. After receiving $4,987.00, he fled the bank on foot where he was picked up by Jean-Charles in a dark colored Honda CRV.

Lawrence Township Police responded quickly to the scene, and followed the Honda CRV to a home on Barnett Road in Lawrence, where Brown and Jean-Charles were arrested.

The first bank robbery took place at the Santander Bank in Lawrence Township on Aug. 3, police said.

According to police, Brown was wearing dark clothing, a fake mustache, large sunglasses, a bushy wig and baseball cap. He handed the teller a note demanding money. After receiving $6,090, he fled the bank running towards Princeton Pike. Witnesses observed him getting into a dark colored Honda CRV that was operated by Jean- Charles.

On Aug. 11, police allege Brown robbed the Bank of America in Trenton. He was wearing a multi-colored hat with fake dreadlocks, a fake mustache and large sunglasses. He handed the teller a note demanding money. After receiving approximately $5,000.00, he fled the bank on foot towards Columbus Park.

Brown was charged with two counts of second-degree robbery and two counts of third-degree theft for the Lawrence Township bank robberies. He was lodged at the Mercer County Correction Center on $150,ooo bail, cash or bond. Charges for the Trenton bank robbery are forthcoming.

Jean-Charles was charged with two counts of second-degree robbery and two counts of third-degree theft, her bail was set at $100,000 cash or bond. She was lodged at the Mercer County Correction Center on $100,000 bail, cash or bond.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone having any information regarding the incidents are asked to contact the Lawrence Township Police Department at 609-896-1111.