Sicklerville NJ Man Convicted, Gets Prison Time for Bank Robbery in Winslow Township

A man convicted of robbing a bank in Winslow Township NJ was recently sentenced to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison.

The suspect is a 42-year-old man from Sicklerville, New Jersey. Around 4:00 p.m. on November 3, 2014, he entered the Wells Fargo bank branch located on Sicklerville Road in Winslow Township, approached a bank teller, and threatened the employee with a power drill that he reportedly made to look like a handgun. Additionally, the suspect concealed his face with a mask while committing the bank robbery. However, the suspect did not get any money and ended up fleeing the bank without getting any money.

Bank employees dialed 911 and alerted the Winslow Township Police Department, which immediately dispatched police officers to the scene. A Camden County Sheriff’s K9 unit assisted with the investigation and canvassed the surrounding area in search of the suspect. The K9 unit eventually found the suspect hiding out in the upstairs bedroom of a vacant home near the Wells Fargo bank. Police placed the suspect under arrest without further incident. Additionally, police searched the premises and reportedly found a cordless drill and a mask inside the abandoned house.

The suspect was charged with numerous crimes, including armed robbery, burglary, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. When the suspect failed to reach a pre-trial plea agreement with Camden County prosecutors, his case went to trial in Camden County Superior Court in Camden, NJ. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence and called witnesses who testified that the suspect “brandished a power drill” while ordering a bank worker to hand over cash. The jury found the prosecution’s evidence compelling and ultimately found the suspect guilty on the very serious criminal charges.

Now the suspect has been sentenced to a significant amount of time in prison. He recently made an appearance in court for a sentencing hearing. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Camden County Superior Court judge imposed a maximum penalty in the case and sentenced the suspect to 20 years behind bars. Additionally, the suspect is subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA) because he committed a violent crime. That means that he will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence, or 17 years, before he becomes eligible for release on parole.

Armed Robbery Charges in Camden County, NJ

The severe punishment imposed against the suspect in this case underscores the importance of negotiating with prosecutors prior to trial. That’s because NJ prosecutors will often seek maximum penalties when a case reaches the courtroom. If the suspect had been able to get the charges downgraded prior to trial, he may have been able to avoid a lengthy term of incarceration.

Additionally, this case should also serve as an object lesson in how theft charges can be elevated when an offender uses a deadly weapon. When the suspect committed the Winslow NJ bank robbery, he used a power drill as a weapon to threaten the bank teller. Although the drill was not the same as a handgun or a knife, it is still considered a deadly weapon in this context – which meant that the criminal charges could be elevated to first degree armed robbery.

If you have been charged with robbery, theft, or burglary in Camden County, NJ, you need an aggressive criminal defense attorney on your side. The experienced criminal defense lawyers at Davis & Mendelson will help you fight your criminal charges and avoid the most severe penalties. Contact us anytime to schedule a free initial consultation about your case.