Jul 22, 2007 7:31 pm US/Eastern
'Mad Hatter' May Be Responsible For N.J. Heist
If So, That Would Push His Total In Our Area To 17 Banks
By Elizabeth Hur, CBS 2 News
UNION, N.J. (CBS) ―
An investigation into Sunday's bank robbery is showing signs that one of New York's most wanted thieves may have struck again.
Victor Astone is shocked because he says the Pathmark in Union where the bank is located is usually packed with shoppers. However, on Sunday morning he and his wife stumbled upon a different scene.
"I couldn't believe it. I still can't believe it could happen to this store," Astone said. "We wanted to get into the store, but we couldn't get in. There were so many police cars and officers around."
Added Rae Astone: "We didn't know what was happening until we asked and then they told us the bank inside had been robbed."
Police now want to know if the same suspect believed to have robbed 16 banks has struck again. Bank surveillance cameras caught the bandit several times. He is now known as the "Mad Hatter" because he is seen sporting different hats each time. Police said the robberies occurred in Morris, Essex, Middlesex and Union counties in New Jersey since last September.
Area residents said news of the latest hold up is unnerving.
"Of course, I mean if I was in there I don't know what I would do," Hillside resident Lorraine Lucas said.
Lucas said she often banks at Bank of America. She hopes police track down the suspect soon. Others agree and remain in disbelief.
"We're surprised, very surprised because things like this doesn't happen in Union," Rae Astone said. "But it happened today."
There is a surveillance camera outside the bank and plenty of them inside as well. Be certain, police are reviewing the tapes to see what happened this time.
Late Sunday, FBI officials confirmed they do not know for certain but they are indeed looking into the possibility of the Union bank being the "Mad Hatter's" 17th bank since his crime spree started.
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