Cops charge pair with committing 3 bank robberies, attempting burglaries at 2 others
Updated Feb 09, 2021;
Authorities have charged two men with robbing three banks and attempting to burglarize two others in Cape May County starting late last month.
One, Edward Hulme, is accused of going into the banks, while his alleged partner, Damian Leblanc, was the getaway driver, the New Jersey State Police allege. Each is charged with crimes, including robbery, conspiracy and drug possession charges for narcotics found during their arrests.
The first heist occurred on Dec. 30, 2020, at the Sturdy Savings Bank on Route 47 in Dennisville. A man robbed the branch with a note and got into a Honda CRV, police said.
During the next two weeks, holdups were reported at TD Bank branches in Marmora and Cape May Court House by a person matching the description of the Sturdy Savings robbery suspect.
Troopers said the suspect, who fled each holdup in a Honda CRV, was also wanted for attempted robberies at First Bank of Sea Isle and Franklin Savings Bank in Ocean View.
Through their investigation, detectives said they identified Hulme as the suspect in the robberies and linked Leblanc to the vehicle, which was located at a Lower Township property where both men reside.
Leblanc was driving the Honda CRV when he was arrested Feb. 3 during a motor vehicle stop by Middle Township Police, troopers said.