Police Shoot, Kill Bank Robbery Suspect In Orange, N.J.
ORANGE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A bank robbery suspect was shot and killed by police in Orange, New Jersey late Thursday afternoon.
Essex County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly said just before 5:30 p.m., a robbery was reported at the PNC Bank Branch at 410 Main St. in Orange.
Police units responded, including detectives from the Essex County Sheriff's Office, Fennelly said.
Two Essex County detectives came upon the suspect and identified themselves as police officers, Fennelly said. They ordered the suspect, who was armed with a gun, to stop, Fennelly said.
The suspect did not obey, and one officer fired his weapon and struck the suspect, Fennelly said. The suspect was taken to University Hospital in Newark, where he was pronounced dead, Fennelly said.
The weapon was recovered, and along with the proceeds from the robbery, Fennelly said. Fennelly could not say how much money the suspect made off with.
CBS2's Valerie Castro reported late Thursday, the Essex County Prosecutor's office began the task of investigating the chain of incidents.
"Police running around crazy looking for something -- that was it," said Shareef Thomas of Orange. "I knew something happened."
"Just pulled up and noticed that there was a lot of commotion going on," said John Williams.
Following the incident, crime scene tape was set up near Teddy Galento Plaza, 75 Lincoln Ave., and also near the NJ TRANSIT station for Orange. NJ TRANSIT trains were not affected.
But the incidents still disturbed the busy evening commute.
"It's kind of like disturbing," said Mark Valenzuela.
Valenzuela lives in a nearby apartment.
"I'm not necessarily surprised, because like I said, some things you see are a little offbeat," he said, "so I mean, for it to happen actually here in front of our building, yeah, I guess you could say I'm surprised."
The suspect's identity was not being released late Thursday pending family notification.
"He paid the price. That's all I can say," Thomas said. "Maybe the next person might not try it, who knows."