March 6, 2015

White Plains, New York Woman Charged with Robbery of Glen Rock Savings Bank

NEWARK, NJ—AWhite Plains, New York, woman is scheduled to appear in court today in connection with the robbery of Glen Rock Saving Bank on Feb. 18, 2015, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Michelle C. Cantatore, 51, is charged by complaint with one count of bank robbery. She is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark III in Newark federal court.

According to the complaint:

On Feb.18, 2015, the Glen Rock Savings Bank was robbed by someone wearing sunglasses, a black coat, white boots and carrying a handbag. The robber brandished what appeared to be a long-barreled handgun and demanded money, threatening to shoot and kill the bank employees. When the robber was not satisfied with the money she received from the bank drawer, she directed the bank employees to enter the vault and give her more money. The robber then fled. About a block away from the bank, in the direction the robber fled, law enforcement recovered a paintball gun matching the description of the handgun used in the robbery wedged next to a pole.

FBI agents arrested Cantatore at the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on March 5, 2015.

The charge of bank robbery carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited Special Agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel, FBI Newark; the Glen Rock Police Department, under the direction of Chief Frederick P. Stahman; the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Col. Rick Fuentes, and the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, and the New York office of the FBI with the investigation leading to the arrest and charge. He also thanked the Paramus, Paterson, Roxbury and Wayne police departments for their roles.

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

The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian J. Reyes of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.