Boontown Township NJ Robbery ChargesA former Essex County Sheriff’s lieutenant accused of robbing a bank in Boonton Township, NJ has been denied bail reduction.

The 70-year-old defendant, who retired from the Essex County Sheriff’s Office in 2002, allegedly robbed the Santander Bank in Boonton. According to prosecutors, he used a handgun during the robbery and threatened bank employees before fleeing with an unspecified amount of money.

The defendant was later arrested and charged with first degree armed robbery.

At a bail reduction hearing, the prosecutor in the case argued that bail should remain set at $200,000 because the defendant has a prior criminal history of robbing banks. In 2005, the defendant robbed a Valley National Bank branch in Livingston in 2005. He was later convicted of the robbery and served five years in federal prison.

The Morris County Superior Court judge agreed with the prosecutor and maintained the defendant’s bail at $200K.

In New Jersey, robbery is addressed by N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1. The statute stipulates that robbery is a first degree felony if the actor uses a handgun. This means that the defendant in this case faces up to 20 years in state prison if he is convicted.

To learn more, access the NJ.com article entitled “Judge Keeps Bail at $200K for Retired Sheriff’s Lieutenant Accused of Robbing Bank.“

 

If you are facing robbery or burglary charges in New Jersey, contact Morristown NJ criminal defense attorney Travis J. Tormey for a free consultation about your case.