Bank Robbery Suspect Nets 200K

West Orange Police Department assisted East Orange and Orange police in the apprehension of a black male teenage suspect who allegedly fled Wachovia bank Saturday morning after brandishing a gun and grabbing $200,000, according to police reports.

The suspect was caught two hours after the 9: 30 a.m. incident. The gun and money also were recovered.

Joanne Phillip, a resident of 110 Washington St., said a friend was in the bank at the corner of Park Avenue and Washington Street during the robbery. 

"She was like, 'What?! The bank is being robbed,' " said Phillip.

Essex County Sheriff K9 Unit and unmarked FBI cars were on the scene. A New Jersey State Police helicopter assisted with the search.

Police said the suspect, who was wearing a wig at the time of the robbery, fled onto Glenwood Avenue before being apprehended.

East Orange Fire Department Ladder 1 personnel had walked into the bank as the robbery was in progress, according to reports.

The bank is near Clark School and Jamas Children's University.