North Bergen, New Jersey Man Charged with Bank Robbery

NEWARK, NJ—Luis Aparicio appeared in federal court today after being arrested and charged with robbing a bank on April 28, 2011, United States Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Aparicio, 49, of North Bergen, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of bank robbery, and made his initial appearance today before United States Magistrate Judge Claire C. Cecchi, who ordered Aparicio be detained.

According to the criminal complaint filed in Newark federal court on April 29, 2011:

On April 28, 2011, Aparicio entered the Chase Bank in Rutherford, New Jersey, and used a black metal object made to look like a handgun to force bank representatives to open the vault. During the robbery, law enforcement was notified and managed to secure the location before Aparicio fled. In an attempt to escape, Aparicio grabbed a woman and attempted to leave the bank with her as a hostage. When Aparicio grabbed her hair, the hostage managed to pull her head out of the wig she was wearing and run to safety. Aparicio sustained multiple gunshot wounds from the police and was taken to a hospital where he was later arrested.

The bank robbery charge carries a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine or twice the gain or loss from the offense.

Fishman credited the Rutherford Police, the Bergen County Sheriff's Office, and the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office with Aparicio's apprehension. The investigation is now with the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward in Newark.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacques S. Pierre of the Criminal Division in Newark.

The charge and allegation contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Anyone who has information which may be relevant to this case is encouraged to contact the Newark Division of the FBI at 973-792-3000.

Washington, New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Five Banks

TRENTON, NJ—A Washington, N.J., man admitted today to robbing five banks between January 29 and March 10, 2011, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Joseph Pennello, 46, pleaded guilty to an Information charging him with five counts of bank robbery, admitting he robbed banks scattered throughout three New Jersey counties. Pennello entered his guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Joel A. Pisano in Trenton federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

During his guilty plea, Pennello admitted to robbing the following banks:

Date  Bank  Amount Stolen 

29-Jan-11 PNC Bank; Washington, N.J.  $2,279 

6-Feb-11 TD Bank; Scotch Plains, N.J.  $2,810 

11-Feb-11 PNC Bank; Hackensack, N.J.  $3,335 

18-Feb-11 Chase Bank; Hackettstown, N.J.  $8,531 

10-Mar-11 Wells Fargo Bank; Rutherford, N.J.  $1,099 

Pennello entered the banks and demanded money from the tellers, either verbally or using notes. During the robbery of the TD Bank in Scotch Plains, Pennello’s note demanded all the money in the teller’s drawer. He also passed a note to a teller at the PNC Bank in Hackensack which read, “This is a robbery. No alarms. No dye-packs. No tracers. No one gets hurts [sic].” At the PNC Bank in Washington, Pennello demanded money from a teller while gesturing toward what appeared to be a firearm concealed on his person.

On March 12, 2011, Pennello walked into a police station and turned himself in to law enforcement officials. The defendant has been in custody since that time.

The charges to which Pennello pleaded guilty each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for August 4, 2011.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward in Newark; along with the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, Washington Township Police Department, Hackettstown Police Department, Hasbrouck Heights Police Department, Rutherford Police Department, Hackensack Police Department and Scotch Plains Police Department for the work leading to the identification and apprehension of the defendant.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronnell L. Wilson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.

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Defense counsel: John Yauch Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark, N.J.