A Lakewood man has been charged by an Ocean County grand jury with committing three bank robberies last year, including two at the same location within about a month.
The grand jury handed up an indictment earlier this month charging Michael H. Gilzean, also known as Hugh M. Gilzean, 46, of Woodlake Manor Drive, with three counts of robbery.
The indictment alleges that Gilzean robbed a teller at the Harmony Bank on River Avenue in Lakewood on May 27, that he robbed another teller at the Wells Fargo Bank at routes 9 and 70 in Toms River on June 27, and a third teller at the Harmony Bank in Lakewood on June 28.
The indictment does not allege that any weapon was used.
Gilzean was arrested July 1 at a motel in Atlantic City, where some of the money from the heists was recovered, police said.
Police have alleged that, each time, Gilzean walked into the banks, handed notes to the tellers demanding cash, and then fled with undisclosed amounts of money.
Police have said that on June 28, in addition to robbing the Harmony Bank in Lakewood, Gilzean walked into the Sovereign Bank at Seagull Square Plaza in Lakewood but left after a teller apparently recognized him.
Authorities said that Gilzean was “recently unemployed” at the time of the bank robberies.
The defendant is being held at the Ocean County Jail, Toms River, with bail set at $650,000.
He faces an arraignment on the charges Tuesday before Superior Court Judge Stephanie M. Wauters.
If Gilzean is convicted of the three robbery charges, he could face up to 30 years in prison, or 10 years for each robbery.
Authorities did not provide a photo of Gilzean.
(Source: APP)
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One Response
I cant understand why handing a note demanding cash is considered robbery he asked for the money he didnt force ably take it the teller could have said no. if the guy would have had a weapon he would show it, i dont think there was ever a case in were a guy robbed a bank said he had a gun and actually had one. If he says he has a gun politely ask to see it if he shows it give him the cash if he cant tell him to take a hike. i guess what i;m getting at is if someone robs a bank in this manner he is not a danger to society and doesnt deserve such a lengthy prison term