TRENTON, N.J.—A Monmouth County man appeared in federal court on Thursday to face charges related to an armed bank robbery in Wall Township, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Jeffrey L. Kniffin, 50, of Wall Township, is accused of robbing a local bank on October 23 while armed with a loaded firearm. He is charged with one count of armed bank robbery and was ordered detained during his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rukhsanah L. Singh. A detention hearing is scheduled for November 25.
Court documents allege Kniffin demanded cash from a bank teller before brandishing a firearm and warning employees, “Don’t do anything stupid.” He fled the bank with over $17,000 in cash but was apprehended minutes later by law enforcement. Authorities reportedly recovered the stolen cash and the loaded firearm during his arrest.
The charge of armed bank robbery carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Jersey Shore Safe Streets Task Force, along with the Wall Township Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Garelick is prosecuting the case. Kniffin remains in custody as he awaits further legal proceedings.