Three men accused of stealing $66,000 from a Salem County bank at gunpoint yesterday are now in custody.
Officials say police responded to Fulton Bank branch in Carneys Point Township at approximately 4:49 p.m. for a report of an armed robbery.
Upon arrival, police learned two masked men entered the bank and displayed a 9mm Smith & Wesson Handgun While a third suspect waited outside in a 2013 Dodge.
Officials say shortly after the robbery, Penns Grove police spotted that Dodge in a bay at the J&J Carwash. Officers ordered the driver to get out of the vehicle but instead he put the car in reverse, backed up toward a detective at a high rate of speed.
According to authorities, the detective fired at the car, striking the driver on the wrist. The vehicle ultimately struck a light pole and a commercial-grade car wash vacuum cleaner right before he surrendered.
Police say the driver, later identified as Kenneth S. Thompson, 39, of Philadelphia, was treated for his wound at Inspira Medical Center Woodbury and released. He was charged with attempt to commit vehicular homicide, assault by auto, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, eluding, criminal mischief and drug possession.
Officers apprehended Antwaine Thomas, 39, of Philadelphia, and Kaseem L. Williams, 26, of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, in a nearby neighborhood and subsequently recovered the cash, gun and masks.
Authorities charged Thomas with robbery, terroristic threats, aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit robbery, various weapons offenses and possession of a stolen gun. While they charged Williams is with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, simple assault, terroristic threats, theft and drug possession.
All three suspects were taken to the Salem County Correctional Facility pending court appearances.
Officials say the officer who discharged his weapon was unharmed and placed on administrative duty pending completion of the review.
Anyone with information about the bank robbery investigation is asked to contact Lt. Elliot Hernandez or Senior Investigator James Gillespie of the Salem prosecutor's office at 856-935-7510 or Carneys Point Police Detective Joe Racite at 856-299-1356.