One of the suspects who robbed Santander Bank in Toms River, Jan. 6, 2015. (Photo: TRPD)
Toms River police and the FBI are on the hunt for two men who robbed the Santander bank branch on Route 37 in Toms River Wednesday morning.
The 9:23 a.m. robbery was hatched by two men, both described as being white and in their 20s, who fled on foot out of the front door and crossed over Route 37 in a northerly direction with an undetermined amount of cash, police spokesman Ralph Stocco said. They continued on foot into the Oak Ridge section of the township, which is a residential area.
No weapon was shown during the robbery, according to Stocco. The suspects are described as being between 5’6” and 5’8” tall and wearing dark clothing, hoodies and turtleneck shirts pulled up over their faces. One man had on sunglasses; the other was also wearing black sneakers with yellow stripes.
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The Santander bank branch on Route 37 in Toms River, robbed Jan. 6, 2015. (Photo: TRPD)
The bank is located at 721 Route 37 West.
As a result of the proximity of the suspects’ direction of travel and the fact that they were fleeing on foot, the West Dover Elementary School was placed on “Shelter in Place” status.
“There was never any specific threat to the students however this was done out of an abundance of caution,” Stocco said. “We thank the school employees for quickly implementing the plan that is often practiced should events like this occur.”
The school returned to normal status at 10:58 am.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation along with the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office CSI and K-9 Units are assisting with critical aspects of the investigation. As a result of the investigation an individual was taken into custody near the intersection of Route 37 and Oakridge Parkway, Stocco said, though that person was being held on charges unrelated to the robbery.
