Crime & Safety

Man Charged In Wig-Wearing Bank Robbery: Toms River Police

Authorities say Michael A. Bennett was the man who donned a curly wig and white makeup to rob First Financial Credit Union in Toms River.

Michael A. Bennett, 31, is accused of robbing First Financial Credit Union in Toms River, police said.
Michael A. Bennett, 31, is accused of robbing First Financial Credit Union in Toms River, police said. (Ocean County Corrections website)

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Toms River man has been arrested in connection with the bank robbery at First Financial Federal Credit Union on Thursday, Toms River police said Monday.

Michael A. Bennett, 31, of Toms River, was arrested Saturday, said Jillian Messina, media specialist for the Toms River Police Department.

Bennett is accused of being the person who donned a blonde curly wig and covered his face with white base makeup — similar to a clown's makeup — and robbing the bank, at the corner of Route 9 and Route 571 on Thursday.

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Police were called the bank about 1 p.m. after the man gave a teller a note and left with an unspecified amount of cash, Messina said.

Anyone with any information about the man are asked to call Detective Jen Grob at 732-349-0150, ext. 1319.

Find out what's happening in Toms Riverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Bennett was charged with robbery and is being held in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Anyone with additional information about the robbery should contact Toms River Detective Jen Grob at 732-349-0150, ext. 1319.

"The Toms River Police Department would like to thank the citizens who responded to, and shared, our social media posts. Working together sharing information helps create a safer community for everyone," Messina said.

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