March 13, 2008: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., and Long Hill Township Chief of Police Dan Hedden announce the investigation and arrest in connection with a bank robbery which occurred at the Hudson City Savings Bank at 977 Valley Road, Gillette, New Jersey.

At approximately 3:56 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, the actor, described as a black male, approximately 6'02" and approximately 240 pounds, entered the Hudson City Savings Bank and passed a note to the teller demanding money. In addition, this subject lifted his jacket and displayed a portion of what appeared to be a handgun held in his waistband. The actor then fled the bank and entered a black Lincoln Sedan with an undisclosed amount of money.

The Long Hill Township Police Department was notified and quickly put out a radio broadcast concerning the robbery along with a description of the suspect vehicle.

Officer William Fettes of the Berkeley Heights Police Department heard the radio broadcast and was informed that the suspect vehicle was fleeing east on Valley Road. Shortly thereafter, Officer Fettes observed the vehicle matching the description traveling on Springfield Avenue in Berkley Heights. Springfield Avenue is a continuation of Valley Road.

Officer Fettes activated his emergency lights and siren pulling the vehicle over. The vehicle stopped in front of the Firestone store located on Springfield Avenue. As Officer Fettes was communicating over his car radio the vehicle fled from the stop.

Officer Fettes pursued the vehicle with his lights and siren activated. The suspect vehicle which was being driven in an erratic manner reached speeds exceeding 70 mph in a 40 mph zone.

The suspect vehicle continued onto River Road where it struck a median, causing damage to the front right tire. The vehicle also struck a box truck as it continued onto Watchung Road, lost control, struck a curb and collided front end into a school bus in Chatham Borough. The school bus contained the driver only.

The suspect fled from his vehicle on foot in Chatham Borough where he was chased for approximately 100 yards by Officer Fettes who took him into custody in Chatham Borough. No injuries resulted from this incident.

A black handgun was observed on the front driver's seat of the suspect's vehicle. Upon closer inspection, the weapon was determined to be a plastic pellet gun. The cash proceeds from the bank robbery were also recovered from the vehicle.

The suspect was transported to the Long Hill Township Police Department. The suspect was identified as:

Tommie Marbley
DOB 6-15-65
403 West 5th Avenue
Roselle, New Jersey

Charges:
Armed Robbery (1st Degree)
Eluding (2nd Degree)
Theft (3rd Degree)
Terroristic Threats (3rd Degree)
Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (4th Degree)
Resisting Arrest by Flight (4th Degree)

The defendant was remanded in lieu of $250,000, cash, bond or property which was set by Superior Court Judge B. Theodore Bozonelis, AJSC.

The investigation is ongoing in cooperation with the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Morris County Sheriff's Office, Long Hill Township Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi stated, "The quick capture of the defendant was the result of the quick transmission of information by the Long Hill Township Police Department and the professional actions and courage of Officer William Fettes, and the Berkley Heights Police Department. This is just a great example of good police work conducted in a cooperative, team work environment."

Chief Hedden stated, "We are grateful for the professional response and assistance offered by Officer Fettes and the Berkeley Heights Police Department."

If anyone has any further information, they are encouraged to contact the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at 973-285-6200, the Long Hill Township Police Department at 908-647-1800 or the Morris County Sheriff's Office CrimeStoppers Program at 973-COP-CALL (973-267-2255).

Despite these pending charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a jury trial at which the defendant has all of his rights guaranteed by the U.S. and New Jersey Constitutions and relevant state law.

Media Contact: Captain Jeffrey S. Paul