NEWARK, NJ — A Newark man was charged yesterday with committing five bank robberies in Union and Essex counties from August 2015 through October 2015, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
James Glenn, 59, is charged by criminal complaint with five counts of bank robbery. He appeared yesterday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda D. Wettre in Newark federal court and was detained.
According to the complaint, Glenn robbed the following New Jersey banks on the dates set forth: Connect One Bank, Union, on Aug. 28, 2015; Hudson City Savings Bank, Roseland, on Sept. 9, 2015; TD Bank, Orange, Sept. 25, 2015; Connect One Bank, Union, Sept. 28, 2015; and Santander Bank, Union, Oct. 16, 2015.
Glenn allegedly robbed the banks using notes that threatened physical harm and demanded cash. For instance, during the Sept. 9, 2015 robbery, a handwritten note indicating, “[t]his is a robbery . . . [t]his is not your money so be careful – [n]o alarms [n]o dye pack I know them. No one wants to get hurt so remember I know where you live” was handed to a teller.
Also, during the spree, Glenn allegedly robbed the same Connect One Bank in Union, including threatening the same teller, on Aug. 28, 2015 and Sept. 28, 2015. He was arrested by the Union police department on Oct. 27, 2015.
The bank robbery charges each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Andrew Campi in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the Union, Roseland, and Orange police departments, as well as the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the NJ State Parole Board for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jihee G. Suh of the U.S. Attorney’s Office General Crimes Unit in Newark.
The charges and the allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.