In a recent case involving a man who allegedly robbed a bank in Paterson, New Jersey, police identified and charged the suspect after he allegedly committed another burglary crime just days later.
According to law enforcement officials, 36-year-old Paterson resident Edwin Perez is accused of robbing the TD Bank at the Center City Mall in Paterson at approximately 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26th.
Perez allegedly handed one of the bank’s employees a note instructing them to hand over the money while threatening to have a gun. He subsequently fled the scene, but not before being caught on surveillance video, which was published by the Paterson Police Department in the hopes of finding the man with the help of the public.
Police officials reportedly received numerous calls from concerned citizens, identifying the man in the photographs. Shortly thereafter, Perez was caught by Little Falls officers in the course of committing a burglary crime.
According to Paterson Police Detective Sergeant Dean Barone, Perez has now been charged with first-degree robbery, in addition to the burglary charges. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1, which governs robbery crimes, first degree offenses of this kind are punishable by a term of incarceration ranging from 10 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison. Further, those convicted of robbery crimes are subject to sentencing under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (“NERA”), which requires defendants to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for parole.
Burglary charges are comparatively less severe, per the New Jersey Criminal Code. Codified by N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2, burglary offenses can be classified as second or third degree crimes. The maximum sentence for a crime of the third degree is 5 years to be served in New Jersey State Prison, while second degree crimes are punishable by a term of imprisonment ranging from 5 to 10 years.
Regardless of the degree of the burglary charges, Perez is facing a term of incarceration if he is convicted of any of the aforementioned crimes. He is currently in custody at the Passaic County Jail.
For more information pertaining to this case, access the following article: Photos help lead police to accused Paterson bank robber
