Man Robs West Orange Bank, Arrested At Local Hotel: Police

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A tip from a driver in West Orange helped to apprehend a man accused of robbing a local bank on Tuesday, authorities said.

According to a statement from township officials, the West Orange Police Department received a call from a security company about multiple panic alarms coming from the TD Bank at 425 Pleasant Valley Way. When officers arrived at the bank, they learned that a robbery had just taken place.

The man fled the bank on foot, witnesses told police.

Officers quickly secured and searched the area, providing a description of the suspect to all units.

Police soon got a key tip from the driver of a local transportation company, who contacted headquarters after he saw the police presence at the bank, authorities said.

The driver said he’d just picked up a man in the area who was attempting to conceal himself from police vehicles. According to the driver, he left the “suspicious acting” man at the Avenue Hotel at 555 Northfield Avenue.

The driver’s description of the man matched the witnesses’ description of the suspect, as well as surveillance footage at the bank, authorities said.

West Orange police immediately responded to the hotel, and with the aid of several witnesses, identified the suspected bank robber. Officers placed him under arrest, finding proceeds from the robbery and “further evidence” in his possession, authorities said.

A police investigation is ongoing, authorities said.

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