Police: Wig-Wearing Bandit Robs Glen Rock, NJ Bank

GLEN ROCK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - Authorities say an armed bandit wearing a pink wig robbed a northern New Jersey bank.

Glen Rock police tell The Record that the robbery at the Glen Rock Savings Bank was reported around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

As WCBS 880's Alex Silverman reported, the robber followed the teller into the vault and filled the handbag with cash-- reportedly around $100,000.

"I won't confirm it nor I won't deny it," Police Chief Frederick Stahman said.

The robber apparently dropped the gun, which was later recovered by police on a nearby street before getting in a silver type vehicle and fleeing the area, police said.

No injuries were reported in the robbery, but authorities would not say if the bandit made any threats to the bank employees. It also wasn't immediately known if the robber was a man or a woman.

The bank's president said the tellers followed all safety procedures.

"It's an unfortunate situation, but it happens. We just want to make sure everybody remains safe. That includes our customers," Henry Ingrassia said.

The suspect was described as wearing a black coat, white boots or some other type of white material bulled over the boots and carried a large bag.

"They do have very unique features and maybe we'll get lucky and identify somebody," Stahman said.

Glen Rock police responded right away.

"We do have the weapon that was dropped on Rodney Street, so we're waiting to process that," Stahman said.

As CBS2's Valerie Castro reported, the robber's disguise drew some unwanted attention.

A Glen Rock veterinarian said he noticed what looked like a woman wearing a red wig and acting strangely across the street on Wednesday morning.

The suspect was constantly checking her watch.

"We really thought that she was waiting for somebody. Like waiting for a date," Dr. Dennis Sepulveda, Veterinary Wellness Center, said.

That's when the suspect walked into the bank and Dr. Sepulveda joked about her change in plans.

"I was telling the receptionist, look now she's going to go rob the bank because she got stoodup, and she did it I guess," he said.

The bank closed for the day after the robbery.

Besides local police, the robbery is under investigation by the FBI and the Bergen County Sheriff's Office.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Glen Rock Police Department at (201) 670-3948 or the FBI at (973) 792-3000.

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