Michael J. Rowan Arrested in West Deptford Bank Robbery

Slightly more than 24 hours after cameras apparently caught him passing a note to a teller at the Bank of America in the Southwood Shopping Center, Michael J. Rowan, 24, of Deptford, was in police custody.

West Deptford police said Rowan was arrested without incident and transported to their station house, where they say he confessed to committing the robbery and provided details of how he had done so.

According to police, Rowan entered the bank at 2:17 p.m. on March 20, approached a teller and handed her a note demanding money. He did not brandish a weapon nor claim to have one. The teller then allegedly handed Rowan an undisclosed amount of currency, and he left.

Fingerprints found on that note matched with those on file in the New Jersey State Police Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), which led authorities to Rowan's Deptford home. He was arrested there at about 4:30 p.m. on March 21.

At that time, police recovered a small amount of money along with clothes they believe he had discarded during his flight from the bank.

Rowan was charged with second-degree robbery, third-degree terroristic threats and third-degree theft of movable property. Superior Court Judge Walter Marshall set bail at $125,000, full cash; as he was unable to make that amount, Rowan was lodged in the Gloucester County Jail. 

West Deptford Police Chief Craig Mangano said that although Rowan is in custody, the investigation is still ongoing "to tie up some loose ends.

“We believe he was solo, but we are still exploring all possibilities,” Mangano said. 

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