Lakewood, N.J. - Police Arrest Suspect In Lakewood Bank Robbery

Lakewood, N.J. -- Lakewood Police, through a joint investigation with the FBI, have arrested a suspect in the robbery of the Commerce Bank branch on East County Line Road last month. The suspect in custody is believed to be responsible for a number of recent bank robberies in the area, possibly including the robbery of the same Commerce Bank on December 31, 2007.

Shortly before 1 p.m. on August 10, the robber handed a teller a note demanding money. After grabbing an undetermined amount of cash, he left the building and headed east down East County Line Road, police said. The man initially eluded a police search that included a canine unit from neighboring Brick. There were no injuries during the incident and the robber did not display a weapon, police said.

The suspect was reportedly recognized from a camera recording which had been turned over to the Lakewood PD following the robbery.

Increasing crime in Lakewood, and what is commonly seen as an ineffectual police response, is becoming more and more of a concern to Orthodox residents of this community. Several incidents of bias attacks and muggings of Orthodox community members, as well as nightly break-ins into Orthodox residences, have many clamoring for action.