Newark Man Admits Committing String of Bank Robberies Throughout New Jersey
| U.S. Attorney’s Office October 12, 2011 |
TRENTON, NJ—A Newark, N.J., man admitted today he robbed eight banks and attempted to rob a ninth bank during a two-month spree throughout New Jersey between June 25, 2010, and August 17, 2010, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Nathaniel Barreto, 29, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of bank robbery and admitted to eight other bank robberies and one attempted bank robbery before U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Barreto admitted to robbing, and attempting to rob, the following New Jersey banks:
| Date | Bank | Location |
| Mar. 26, 2010 | Bank of America | 119 Ridge Road, North Arlington, Bergen County |
| June 25, 2010 | Wachovia Bank | 1080 Broad Street, Bloomfield, Essex County |
| July 8, 2010 | Mariner’s Bank | 242 Oradell Avenue, Paramus, Bergen County |
| July 8, 2010 | Bank of America | 396 Route 22, Whitehouse, Hunterdon County |
| July 23, 2010 | Kearny Federal Savings | 487 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, Essex County |
| July 28, 2010 | Lakeland Savings Bank | 321 Main Street, Boonton, Morris County |
| Aug. 2, 2010 | Bank of America | 32 Route 46, West Pine Brook, Morris County |
| Aug. 4, 2010 | Sovereign Bank | 541 Rahway Avenue, Woodbridge, Middlesex County |
| Aug. 9, 2010 (attempted) | PNC Bank | 424 Broad Street, Bloomfield, Essex County |
| Aug. 17, 2010 | PNC Bank | 500 Route 10, Whippany, Morris County |
Barreto also admitted to brandishing what appeared to be a firearm during each of the bank robberies and the attempted bank robbery.
Barreto’s bank robbery spree came to an end following the August 17, 2010, bank robbery, when a witness saw Barreto get into a car driven by his accomplice and noted the license plate number, which matched the plate on a car found abandoned near a wooded area. Barreto and his accomplice were both apprehended in the woods nearby.
Barreto faces a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. Sentencing before Judge Wolfson is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2012.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited the FBI, under the direction of Michael B. Ward in Newark, along with the Hanover Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, the New Jersey State Police, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office for the work leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shirley U. Emehelu of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
Defense counsel: John D. Caruso Esq., East Orange, NJ