A Union County, New Jersey, man who allegedly robbed one bank and attempted to rob another at gunpoint has been charged federally, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Marlon Peek, 39, of Plainfield, is charged by complaint with one count of bank robbery, one count of attempted bank robbery, and one count of using and brandishing a firearm during the commission of the attempted bank robbery. Peek was arrested by the Linden Police Department on May 6, 2015. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is adopting the case for federal prosecution. Peek will have his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court at a date to be determined.
According to the complaint:
On April 21, 2015, Peek allegedly robbed a PNC Bank in South Plainfield, New Jersey, of cash, including certain bills whose serial numbers had been recorded in advance (bait money). Later that day, at an address associated with Peek, law enforcement observed a vehicle registered to Peek. The defendant exited his vehicle and fled on foot. Law enforcement later found some of the bait money from the PNC Bank robbery as well as Peek’s driver’s license, among other items, in the vehicle.
On May 6, 2015, Peek allegedly attempted to rob a Bank of America in Linden, New Jersey. He allegedly entered the Bank of America, pointed a gun directly at a teller, and demanded money. Due in part to the Bank of America branch having bullet-proof glass in front of the teller station, the teller refused to turn over money to Peek.
Peek fled the bank and allegedly attempted to carjack three cars, all at gunpoint, on or near Route 1 in Linden. After the three unsuccessful attempts to commandeer a car, Peek took a hostage and held a gun to the hostage’s head. Officers of the Linden Police Department, who had by then arrived on the scene, ordered Peek to drop his gun. Peek complied and was taken into custody. A loaded firearm was recovered.