Man Admits Robbing 3 North Jersey Banks Last Year

A man faces possible life in prison after he admitted committing four bank robberies in North Jersey last year.

James Lockwood, 39, of Newark, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court to four counts of bank robbery, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick said Tuesday. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Lockwood admitting robbing the M&T Bank in Lyndhurst in August, a Capital One Bank in Clifton in September and the Schuyler Bank in Kearney twice — once in the August and again in September, Fitzpatrick said in a statement.

Lockwood also admitted that during each of the four robberies he threatened to use force while demanding money from bank employes, Fitzpatrick said.

Lockwood could also be sentenced to pay $1 million in fines when he is sentenced Aug. 2.

Lockwood was arrested Sept. 23, 2016 and has been in custody ever since, Fitzpatrick said.

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