By Karen Zautyk
Observer Correspondent
KEARNY –
Authorities have identified a Paterson man as the prime suspect in the robbery of the PNC Bank at Kearny and Midland Aves. last Wednesday afternoon.
Kearny police reported on Friday that they were hunting Carnie Monts, 28, in connection with the hold-up, which occurred at 2:30 p.m., July 9. Officers have checked his residence on N. Third St. in Paterson “with negative results.”
Monts was identified after a joint investigation by the KPD, the FBI, the North Arlington PD and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the KPD, the robber entered the bank twice. He was first seen on security tapes at a customer counter, left the premises and returned shortly afterwards, this time with his face partially covered with what was thought to be a white Tshirt.
Additionally, he had a white rag over his left hand, possibly concealing a weapon, police said.
The bandit approached a teller, handed him a plastic bag and ordered the employee to fill it with cash, police said. He reportedly stated that he had a gun, but no weapon was seen.
He was given approximately $3,000 and fled on foot in an unknown direction.The surrounding area was searched by “numerous police units,” to no avail, the KPD reported.
Responding Kearny officers — P.O. Jordenson Jean, Det. Lt. Anthony Gouveia and Det. Michael Gonzalez — issued a BOLO to surrounding jurisdictions and contacted the FBI, Police Chief John Dowie noted. Police learned that a man fitting the suspect’s description was seen in a bank near the Belleville Pike in North Arlington shortly before the Kearny heist, but no robbery had occurred there.
By Friday, the KPD, working with the FBI, NAPD and the Bergen County prosecutor, had developed Monts as the suspect. A warrant was issued for his arrest and bail was set by Kearny Municipal Court Judge Thomas McKeon at $100,000.
