Cops Nab One Of Newark FBI’s ‘Most Wanted Bank Robbers’

NEWARK, NJ — Authorities have nabbed one of the Newark FBI’s “most wanted bank robbers,” police say.

According to the U.S Attorney’s Office (NJ), Quentin Morales, also known as Quinton Morales, 25, of Passaic, was arrested and charged in connection with a spree of bank robberies in Hudson, Union, and Passaic counties last month.

According to prosecutors, Morales has been charged by criminal complaint with four counts of bank robbery and one count of attempted bank robbery. He appeared in Newark federal court on Aug. 3, where he was detained.

“Prior to his arrest, Morales was one of Newark FBI's most wanted bank robbers,” prosecutors stated in a news release.

According to the complaint, Morales robbed the following New Jersey banks:

• Wells Fargo Bank Kearny, New Jersey June 24, 2016
• Wells Fargo Bank Kenilworth, New Jersey June 30, 2016
• Wells Fargo Bank Linden, New Jersey July 6, 2016
• Wells Fargo Bank Clifton, New Jersey July 13, 2016

Morales also attempted to rob the Capital One Bank in Elizabeth on June 27, prosecutors stated.

Authorities said that at each bank, Morales presented a note demanding cash from bank tellers. During a July 13 robbery at Wells Fargo Bank in Clifton, Morales handed the teller a note which stated: "You are being robbed. Give me all your large bills. No alarms. No dye packs. You got 10 seconds."

Prosecutors said that on at least two occasions, Morales said he had a gun and urged bank tellers to hurry.

He was apprehended on Aug. 2 by officers of the N.J. State Parole Board, prosecutors said.

Each bank robbery or attempted bank robbery charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, prosecutors said.