N.J. Cop On Personal Transporter Catches Alleged Bank Robber

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A police officer riding his trusty personal transport unit apprehended an alleged bank robber just minutes after he knocked over a PNC Bank in Essex County, authorities say.

According to the Bloomfield Police Department, Michael Restaino, 58, of Toms River, walked into the PNC Bank at 2 Broad Street in Bloomfield at 11:25 a.m. on Tuesday, approached a teller and issued a simple ultimatum: “Give me your money.”

The bank teller surrendered about $1,450 to the unarmed Restaino, who immediately fled on foot, authorities said.

And that’s when Bloomfield Police Officer Bruce Calkin spotted him from atop his Sentinel Police Mobility Vehicle, authorities say.

Calkin, who was patrolling the area on the BPD’s personal transporter unit, managed to apprehend Restaino on State Street, finding the allegedly stolen cash squirreled away in his sock, authorities said.

Police transported Restaino to the Essex County Correctional Facility awaiting a bail hearing.

Bloomfield Police Director Samuel DeMaio commended the “outstanding police work” of the patrol officers for their quick response and praised the Calkin’s “alertness.”

Calkin, who is assigned to the BPD Community Policing Unit, has become a common sight in downtown Bloomfield from atop the Segway-like vehicle, which gives officers increased visibility from an elevated platform.

Bloomfield police called the device “a testament to the utilization of new technology in today’s evolving methods in police work.”

• See related article: Bloomfield’s Police PT Vehicle Makes Rounds

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Photo: Bloomfield Police Department