The detectives from Ocean County had a warrant for 38-year-old Michael Cassano following the robbery of a PNC Bank branch in Toms River on Feb. 5 using what apparently was the same weapon — an airsoft gun.
In both robberies, he placed the gun on the counter and fled with cash, investigators said.
After taking $4,000 from the HCSB on Essex Street just before 2:45 p.m. yesterday, 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. READ MORE….
ABOVE: Michael Cassano (INSET: Courtesy BERGEN COUNTY SHERIFF / Bank surveillance photo: Courtesy TOMS RIVER PD)
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