Hudson County Woman Federally Charged with Robbing Three Banks in Three Weeks

NEWARK, NJ—A woman who allegedly robbed three banks in three-week span has been charged federally in connection with the spree, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Valeria Parziale, 34, of Harrison, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with three counts of bank robbery in connection with two robberies in Newark and one in Harrison in January and February 2014. She was arrested by the Newark Police Department and charged on February 24, 2014, by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office with related crimes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is adopting the case for federal prosecution.

Parziale is expected to appear this afternoon before U.S.Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court.

According to the complaint filed in this case:

Parziale robbed a Valley National Bank in Harrison on January 30, 2014; a Wells Fargo bank in Newark on February 14, 2014; and a Popular Community Bank in Newark on February 20, 2014. During each robbery, Parziale handed the teller a note demanding cash and threatening to use a gun.

Parziale’s notes contained threatening language including, “I have a gun. Don’t be stupid.” She wore sunglasses and a wig to commit the Newark Wells Fargo robbery and a dark, hooded jacket and gloves to the bank in Harrison.

Each of the bank robbery charges carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Fishman praised special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford, for the investigation leading to the arrest and charges. He also thanked the Newark, Kearny, and Harrison Police Departments for their excellent work in this case.

The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas S. Kearney of the U.S. Attorney’s Office General Crimes Unit in Newark.

The charges and the allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.