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Maywood police nab Lodi bank robbery suspect tied to Toms River holdup

Michael Cassano MUGSHOT: Courtesy LODI PD / Surveillance images (Toms River PNC Bank): FBI New Jersey

Photo Credit: FBI New Jersey
Photo Credit: Courtesy LODI PD / Surveillance images (Toms River PNC Bank): FBI New Jersey
Photo Credit: TOMS RIVER PD
Photo Credit: FBI New Jersey

EXCLUSIVE REPORT: Maywood police not only solved the robbery of a Lodi bank when their suspect stopped for coffee moments after the holdup today: He also was caught on surveillance footage robbing a bank in Toms River earlier this month, CLIFFVIEW PILOT has found.

Two Maywood officers grabbed Michael Cassano, a 38-year-old CYO baseball coach from Queens, after they said he stopped off at a Dunkin Donuts after robbing the Hudson City Savings branch on Essex Street in Lodi of $4,000 just before 2:45 p.m. today.

CLIFFVIEW PILOT recognized Cassano as the same man who held up a PNC Bank branch in Toms River on Feb. 5 using what apparently was the same weapon (see surveillance images above). In both robberies, he placed the gun on the counter and fled with cash.

Today there was a twist: After leaving the HCSB, Cassano stopped at the Dunkin Donuts up the street, then approached a Paterson man outside and asked him for a cigarette, Lodi Detective Capt. Donald Scorzetti told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.

They each then went their separate ways, he said.

By that time, police had flooded the area from all sides.

Maywood Sgt. Timothy Moran and Officer Glenn Tutschek said the 5-foot-10-inch, medium-built Cassano was “acting like nothing was wrong” when they approached him moments later near a getaway Dodge SUV with New York plates parked on Maybook Drive near Demarest Place.

He was still wearing the fedora and sunglasses and carrying an airsoft gun that they said he used to rob the HCSB, they said.

He was also carrying a cup o’ Joe.

Surveillance image of getaway SUV in Feb. 5 PNC Bank robbery (Courtesy: TOMS RIVER PD)

The black vehicle was similar to one that Toms River police said their robber fled in three weeks ago (see photo).

“All of the proceeds were recovered,” Maywood Police Chief David Pegg said.

The Paterson man he was with moments earlier was stopped a short distance away by Capt. Joseph Natale and Lt. Terence Kenny, Pegg said.

He wasn’t involved and was released, Scorzetti of Lodi said.

Lodi and Toms River police charged Cassano with first-degree robbery and a pair of weapons offenses. Bail in the Lodi robbery was set at $250,000. Toms River police also placed a detainer on Cassano in connection with their robbery, which also carried a $250,000 bail.

Federal charges also were pending, Scorzetti said.

The robbery and arrest came just hours after a bandit passed a holdup note and took more than $1,200 from a Hasbrouck Heights bank. SEE: ‘Chubby’ bandit in Patriots cap robs Hasbrouck Heights bank of $1,200

MUGSHOT: Courtesy LODI PD / Surveillance images: FBI New Jersey

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