A Linden detective received high honors for his roll in assisting in the arrest of a man wanted for robbing about a half-dozen banks in Northern NJ in 2016.
Detective/Sergeant Jeff Carhart was among several officers recently recognized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Newark Division for a role he and other detectives had in the arrest of one of the area's most wanted bank robber in 2016.
U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced that a Passaic, man admitted robbing six banks in Hudson, Union, and Passaic counties in June and July of 2016,
According to a statement released by Carpenito, Quentin Morales, a/k/a “Quinton Morales,” 27, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with three counts of bank robbery. He also admitted to robbing two additional banks and attempting to rob another.
Before his arrest in August 2016, Morales was one of Newark FBI’s most wanted bank robbers.
Carpenito said, at each bank, Morales presented a note demanding cash from bank tellers. For example, during the June 24, 2016, robbery, Morales handed the teller a note stating “You are being robbed. Give me all the large bills you have, no alarms, no noise.” On at least two occasions, Morales said he had a gun and urged bank tellers to hurry.
Authorities arrested Morales on Aug. 2, 2016, by officers of the N.J. State Parole Board.
The bank robbery charges to which Morales pleaded guilty each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 14, 2018.