MOUNT OLIVE, NJ – A 54-year-old man wanted for a carjacking at the Flanders Walmart later robbed a nearby bank. It was no April Fool’s joke for his initial victim, who he threatened to kill while stealing his car.
According to Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Howard Parks, age 54, of East Orange, has been arrested charged with first-degree robbery, two counts of first-degree carjacking, third degree receiving stolen property, and disorderly person assault by auto in connection with a series of incidents that occurred in Morris County.
On Friday, it all began at the Walmart parking lot in Flanders when police were notified of an armed carjacking. Police were called to assist the South Orange Police Department with an ongoing carjacking investigation.
“While on scene at approximately 12:04 p.m., they learned of a carjacking that had just taken place from the parking lot,” the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office said. “The actor made a threat to kill the victim during the course of stealing the vehicle.”
The Mount Olive Police Department was notified at around 12:24 p.m. of an attempted bank robbery that had been committed at the Wells Fargo Bank, located in Flanders, involving the same suspect. Parks pretended to possess a firearm and passed a note demanding money. However, the defendant fled the area prior to obtaining any money from the bank.
Minutes after leaving the bank, at approximately 12:33 p.m., Parks was involved in a motor vehicle crash near the intersection of Eland Avenue and Route 10 in Randolph.
“The driver of the vehicle involved in this crash sustained non-life threatening injuries. Following the crash, the actor attempted to steal another vehicle but was taken into custody prior to being able to leave the scene,” the MCPO said.