By: Richard L. Smith
Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, along with Chief of Detectives Robert McNally and Mountain Lakes Police Chief Shawn Bennett, have announced the arrest of a man in connection with a bank robbery that happened in Mountain Lakes on November 17, 2023.
The incident, which took place at the PNC Bank on 425 Boulevard at about 11:15 a.m., involved a male suspect entering the bank and demanding money without displaying or threatening the use of any weapon.
He successfully fled the scene with roughly $1,000 in cash.
Following a thorough investigation that included collaboration between New Jersey law enforcement and federal authorities, the suspect, identified as 46-year-old Tony Winst of Cresskill, was apprehended in New York City on March 9, 2024.
Winst is currently held in federal custody, with the case set to be prosecuted at the federal level.
The successful apprehension of the suspect was the result of concerted efforts among several law enforcement agencies, including the Mountain Lakes Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Authorities are continuing to seek information related to this incident and encourage anyone with insights to contact the Newark FBI at 973-792-3000 or through the toll-free number, 1-800-CALL-FBI.
The collaborative work among local and federal law enforcement underscores their commitment to bringing those responsible for such crimes to justice.