Authorities Release Photo of Alleged 'Black Stocking Robber'

Federal authorities released a photo Friday that shows the face of the suspect who they said is involved in at least seven bank heists and one bank robbery attempt in northern New Jersey, including in West Orange.

The photo is from the alleged robber's attempt Monday at PNC Bank on Broad Street in Bloomfield, according to Brian Travers, the FBI's public affairs officer.

The still image, taken from a security camera, shows the suspect's face and similar clothing he wore inside the bank during the time of the attempted robbery.

In all the robberies, the "black stocking robber," as he's been labeled in media, enters banks with a handgun and demands cash, according to the FBI's BanditTracker.

"Based on where the robberies are, one hypothesis is that he may have a job that takes him around the state," said Travers. "Some robberies are more successful than others, but we're focusing on the hat right now because, in some robberies, he may have been wearing the hat underneath the stocking."

The hat is described as a white baseball cap with black stripes.

The suspect entered Kearny Federal Savings on Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange July 23, dressed in all black, brandished a handgun and demanded cash. He escaped with an unknown amount of money.

The suspect is described as a white male in his early 30s, approximately 5'10", with a stocking cap, eyeglasses and wearing all black. In Monday's Bloomfield robbery attempt, though, the suspect was wearing white.

Excluding West Orange and Bloomfield, the other six cases include a robbery Aug. 4 at Soveriegn Bank, 541 Rahway Ave., Woodbridge, a robbery Aug. 2 at Bank of America, 32 Route 46 West, Montville, a robbery July 28 at Lakeland Savings Bank, 321 West Main St., Boonton, robberies July 8 at Mariners Bank, 242 Oradell Ave., Paramus, and Bank of America, 392 Route 22, Whitehouse and a robbery June 25 at Wachovia Bank, 1080 Broad St., Bloomfield. The latter three list the suspect as wearing all black, but with a baseball cap and ski mask, not a nylon sock.

The amount taken during each robbery is not known at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at (973) 792-3000. The FBI urges the public to refer to the BanditTracker for more information on the robberies.

Check back to West Orange Patch as we continue to track this story.