Hudson County Trio Indicted for Robberies of Sovereign Bank in Secaucus and TD Bank in Fairview

NEWARK, NJ—Two men and a woman from Hudson County, New Jersey were indicted today in connection with their roles in two bank robberies that took place last summer, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Gary Bohanan, 44; Angel Feliu, 20; and Josephine Chenet, 45, all of North Bergen, New Jersey, are each charged by indictment with two counts of bank robbery. The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury sitting in Newark.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Bohanan, Feliu, and Chenet allegedly robbed the Sovereign Bank (now Santander Bank), in Secaucus, New Jersey, on July 22, 2013. Bohanan and Feliu entered the bank at 10:11 a.m. Both wore latex gloves on their hands and masks over their faces. Once inside, Bohanan brandished a black handgun, jumped over the counter, and proceeded to empty two drawers of money into a black bag, while pointing the handgun at bank tellers. As Bohanan emptied the drawers, Feliu stood guard. Bohanan and Feliu then fled the bank into a car driven by Chenet.

Bohanan, Feliu, and Chenet also allegedly robbed the TD Bank in Fairview, New Jersey, on July 26, 2013. Bohanan and Feliu, both wearing latex gloves and masks, entered the bank at 9:48 a.m. Feliu was recorded by the bank’s video surveillance system before he pulled the mask over his face. Once inside the TD Bank, Feliu brandished a knife at employees and customers. Bohanan brandished what appeared to be a black handgun but was later identified as an air pistol. Bohanan jumped over the counter and proceeded to empty two drawers of money into a black bag, while pointing the air pistol at bank tellers. As Bohanan emptied the drawers, Feliu stood guard and held bystanders back by brandishing the knife.

Bohanan and Feliu fled on foot and were followed by concerned citizens and victims of the bank robbery. Bohanan encountered a white GMC Savana van, pointed the air pistol at the driver, and ordered the driver out of the van. Bohanan then took control of the van and attempted to flee the area by driving away in the van, drove a short distance, and crashed. He exited the van and attempted to flee on foot. Law enforcement and concerned citizens located Bohanan hiding under a truck, which was parked a short distance away. Bohanan was found with a black bag containing, among other things, a black air pistol and money covered with red dye.

Feliu separated from Bohanan after the bank robbery and was seen getting into the passenger’s seat of a waiting vehicle that was driven by Chenet. Citizens followed the vehicle as it drove away at a high rate of speed and observed Feliu exit the vehicle and run into a cemetery in North Bergen, where he was located by law enforcement.

The counts of bank robbery with which Bohanan, Feliu, and Chenet are each charged each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Bohanan and Feliu have been detained pending trial.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford, with the investigation. He also thanked the Fairview, North Bergen, and Secaucus Police Departments for their contributions to the case.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco J. Navarro of the U.S. Attorney’s Office General Crimes Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.