2 Women Charged In Federal Court With Robbing Garfield Bank

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Two women appeared in federal court Monday on a charge of robbing a Spencer Savings Bank in Garfield at gunpoint last month.

Swahilys Pedraza-Rodriguez, 19, of New Haven, Connecticut and Melissa Aquino Arias, 23, of Passaic, were each charged with one count of bank robbery, said acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced. The women appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Dickson.

According to the complaint, Pedraza-Rodriguez and Arias allegedly entered a Spencer Savings Bank in Garfield and asked a bank teller for information about opening a bank account.

Arias, who was wearing a blue hijab, allegedly took out a handgun and demanded money from a teller, while Pedraza-Rodriguez stood guard near the manager, Fitzpatrick said.

After a bank teller handed them some cash, the women left the bank and employees immediately notified police, Fitzpatrick said.

The women entered an NVE Bank in Teaneck Sunday, Fitzpatrick said. Arias wore an orange hijab and Pedraza-Rodriguez wore a black head covering, he said. They approached a bank employee and requested information about opening a bank account.

The employee recognized them and immediately went to tell police, at which time the women left, authorities said. Law enforcement officers apprehended the women soon after.

The bank robbery count carries a maximum potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.

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