According to police yesterday afternoon, at approximately 12:55 PM, the suspect walked into the Valley National Bank located at 535 Getty Avenue, Clifton, carrying a bag.
The suspect then approached a teller and produced a threatening note demanding money and indicating that he (the suspect) was in possession of a bomb. The teller complied, handing over cash (not releasing amount).
The suspect fled the scene on foot and was subsequently pursued on foot by two employees of Corrado's, who happened to witness the suspect's escape. The suspect was cornered at one point, during which time he discarded some of the proceeds. He was then able to continue fleeing and was last observed running into the area of South Paterson.
Clifton Patrol Officers responded to the scene and began to receive information that the suspect was last observed in the area of Genessee Avenue in Paterson. Please include this: With assistance from the Paterson Police Department and the Passaic County Sheriff's Department, the neighborhood was secured. A search then took place and the suspect was eventually located (by a Passaic County Sheriff's Officer) hiding inside a bathroom at the Omar Mosque, 501 Getty Avenue, Paterson.
The suspect has no affiliation with the mosque what so ever.
Additional proceeds were recovered at the time of arrest. The Passaic County Sheriff's Department CSI Unit and K-9 Unit assisted during the incident. The threat of a bomb was determined to be unfounded.
The suspect, a Clifton resident, was taken into custody and conveyed to Clifton Police Headquarters where the investigation continued. The suspect was charged with Armed Robbery and Terroristic Threats.
Due to the ongoing investigation, the suspect's identity is not being released at this time.