ICYMI: Union County Man Charged with Bank Robbery, Attempted Bank Robbery

A Union County man has been charged federally after allegedly robbing one bank and attempting to rob a second bank at gunpoint, authorities said.

Marlon Peek, 39, of Plainfield, was charged by complaint with one county of bank robbery, one county of attempted bank robbery and one count of using and brandishing a firearm during the commission of the attempted bank robbery, according to United States Attorney Paul J. Fishman. Peek was arrested by Linden Police on Wednesday, May 6.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is adopting the case for federal prosecution, authorities said.

Peek allegedly robbed a PNC Bank in South Plainfield of cash on April 21, including certain bills whose serial numbers has been recorded in advance. Bills with previously recorded serial numbers are known as “bait money”, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Later that day, authorities observed a vehicle registered to Peek at an address associated with him. After the 39-year-old exited the vehicle, he fled on foot, authorities said. Law enforcement officers discovered some of the bait money, as well as Peek’s driver’s license and other items, in the vehicle.

On Wednesday, May 6, Peek allegedly attempted to rob a Bank of America in Linden. The U.S. Attorney’s Office reports Peek allegedly entered the bank, pointed a gun at a teller and demanded money. The teller refused to provide Peek with any money, due in part to the bank location having bullet-proof glass at the teller station.

After failing to take any money from the Bank of America, Peek fled the location and allegedly attempted to carjack three vehicles, all at gunpoint, on or near Route 1. He then reportedly took a hostage after failing to commandeer a vehicle and held a gun to the hostage’s head, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. By that time Linden Police had arrived at the scene and ordered him to drop his weapon.

Peek complied with the order from Linden Police and he was taken into custody.

Police recovered a loaded firearm at the scene.

Both the bank robbery and attempted bank robbery charges each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charge of brandishing a weapon during the attempted bank robbery carries a mandatory seven-year sentence to be served consecutively with any other sentence.