By: Richard L. Smith
A Bergen County man has pleaded guilty to robbing a bank in Mountain Lakes during a court appearance in Camden, according to a statement released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Federal officials said Tony Winst, 46, of Cresskill, admitted to the crime before U.S. District Judge Edward S. Kiel, acknowledging his role in the November 17, 2023, robbery.
Winst pleaded guilty to a charge of bank robbery, a federal offense that carries significant penalties.
Court documents and testimony revealed that Winst entered the bank and handed a note to a teller that read, “This is a robbery.”
He also claimed to have a weapon, prompting the teller to comply by handing over an undisclosed amount of money.
Winst fled the scene immediately after.
The bank robbery charge can result in up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Winst is scheduled to be sentenced on April 2, 2025.
Federal prosecutors are handling the case, and the U.S. Department of Justice provided further details as part of its ongoing commitment to addressing crimes that threaten public safety.
