Police car at the scene of a criminal related incident

TRENTON, N.J. — A Monmouth County man appeared in federal court on Monday, charged with armed bank robbery following an October heist in Wall Township that ended with his arrest just minutes after the crime, authorities said.

Jeffrey L. Kniffin, 50, of Wall Township, is accused of entering a local bank on October 23, brandishing a firearm, and demanding cash from a teller. According to court documents and statements, Kniffin allegedly threatened the teller and employees multiple times, warning them, “Don’t do anything stupid,” before fleeing with over $17,000 in cash.

Law enforcement apprehended Kniffin shortly after the robbery, recovering a loaded firearm and the stolen money in his possession and surrounding area.

Kniffin is charged with one count of armed bank robbery, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He was detained following his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rukhsanah L. Singh on Monday. A detention hearing is scheduled for November 25 in Trenton federal court.

The case is being investigated by the FBI Newark’s Jersey Shore Safe Streets Task Force, with assistance from the Wall Township Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

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