​2 Lower Township Men Charged With Bank Robberies: Police

LOWER TOWNSHIP, NJ — State Police arrested two Lower Township men for committing three bank robberies in Cape May County and attempting two others, authorities said.

Through a multi-agency investigation, authorities determined Edward Hulme, 43, and Damian Leblanc, 39, matched the description of the suspects involved in the robberies.

On Feb. 3, Middle Township police found Leblanc operating a Honda CRV identified from previous bank robberies committed in Dennisville, Marmora and Cape May Court House. Police arrested Leblanc during the motor vehicle stop, according to authorities.

Authorities executed a search warrant at Leblanc’s home on Academy Road in Lower Township, and then arrested Hulme. Investigators seized heroin, Xanax bars and clothing worn by Hulme matching the description of the clothing worn by the suspect during the robberies, police said.

The Troop “A” Criminal Investigation Office began investigating a robbery that occurred at the Sturdy Savings Bank on State Highway 47 in Dennisville.

Detectives said a male suspect entered the bank and handed the teller a note requesting that money be placed on the counter. The teller provided cash to the suspect who then departed the bank with stolen money in a Honda CRV, police said.

Two additional robberies were committed at the TD Bank locations in Marmora and Cape May Court House while authorities investigated the Sturdy Savings Bank robbery, police said.

Detectives determined that the description of the male suspect at the Sturdy Savings Bank robbery matched the description of the suspect at the TD Bank robberies. Detectives also found that the suspect, who fled each scene in a Honda CRV, also attempted to commit burglaries at the First Bank of Sea Isle and the Franklin Savings Bank in Ocean View, according to authorities.

The investigation identified Hulme as the suspect in the robberies and linked Leblanc to the vehicle, which investigators found at a home in Lower Township where they both reside, police said.

Hulme and Leblanc were charged with robbery, conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute CDS and possession of CDS. They were lodged at the Cape May County Jail pending a detention hearing.

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