New Jersey Man Charged in Bank-Robbing Spree

He allegedly stole from banks across the Philadelphia region and beyond.

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A new Jersey man was charged in bank robberies in a yearlong spree throughout central and southeastern Pennsylvania.

Patch.com reported on Monday that the FBI caught and charged 41-year-old Francis Simmons of Warren, New Jersey, with 16 counts of robbery, stretching from incidents in Hellertown, Fogelsville and Allentown in the northeastern part of the region all the way to Wyomissing, Lancaster and even further to Lewisburg, near I-80 north of Harrisburg. He also allegedly raided banks and businesses in New York, New Jersey, Maryland and North Carolina.

His period of looting ran from November 6, 2013 to November 29, 2014 (one day after Black Friday), U.S. Attorney Peter Smith told Patch. He was identified by surveillance video and witnesses, and is being prosecuted by assistant U.S. Attorney Daryl Bloom. Simmons will face, if convicted, up to 20 years in jail and a maximum fine of $250,000.

“The investigation involved close coordination and cooperation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Cortland County, New York Sheriff Department, and the Police Departments of Upper Macungie Township, Carroll Township, Logan Township, New Jersey, Spring Township, Hagerstown, Maryland, Pocono Township, Lancaster City Bureau of Police, Asheboro, North Carolina, Columbia Borough, Hellertown and Hanover Borough,” the FBI said in a public statement via the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

The Allentown Morning Call additionally reported that, in that specific area, Simmons robbed two Bank of America branches and a First Niagara satellite, while attempting robberies at Wells Fargo and Citizens Bank locations as well.

A plea bargain has been submitted and is awaiting approval by the judge.