October 16, 2007

THE "HAT BANDIT'S" LAST DAY
On July 22, 2007, the notorious "Mad Hatter" "Hat Bandit" walked into the Bank of America in Union Township. He walked up to a teller and demanded money, implying that someone could get hurt if his demand wasn't met. Steven Gomez, the 20-year-old teller who found himself facing the robber, handed him $3,000 and watched him "power-walk" out the door.

When the "Hat Bandit" disappeared from view, Steven took it upon himself to follow him. Steven saw the "Hat Bandit" walk down an alley toward the parking lot so Steven took a short cut to the parking area while taking off his red Bank of America uniform shirt so that he was less noticeable. When Steven got to the parking lot, he hid behind a car until the "Hat Bandit's" getaway car—a 2001 black Nissan Altima—was close enough for him to see the license plate number.

Law enforcement authorities had been alerted to the use of an Altima in prior robberies. Until July 22nd they had been methodically working their way through the 28,000 similar black Altima's registered in New Jersey. On July 22nd, Steven Gomez handed them the needle in a haystack. Within hours, James Madison, aka the "Hat Bandit" was in custody ending his year-long spate of 19 bank robberies in Union, Morris, Essex and Middlesex counties. Thirteen of those robberies were of Commerce Banks.

On September 11, 2007, Madison pled guilty in Federal Court to six of the robberies and admitted to stealing almost $81,000. He is facing up to 11 years in Federal Prison when he is sentenced on December 18th.

THE "HAT BANDIT" HERO
Steven Gomez, now 21 years old, is a full time student at Rutgers University studying Business and Finance. At the time of the robbery, Steven was also working full-time as a teller at Bank of America's Union Branch.

Steven lives in Union County with his father, Luis Gomez, a truck driver, his step-mother, Gilda Gomez, a factory worker, and his sister Alexandra, a graduate of Montclair State University. Steven and his sister grew up in Newark.

As his college major implies, Steven hopes to have a future in the business world.

THE REWARDS
In recognition of Steven's bravery, he is being awarded 5 separate monetary rewards as follows:

$1,000 Union County CrimeStoppers
$1,000 Morris County CrimeStoppers
$1,000 Essex County CrimeStoppers
$2,000 Commerce Bank
$5,000 Federal Bureau of Investigation

THE CRIMESTOPPERS PROGRAMS
It is important to note, that the policy of all CrimeStoppers programs is to maintain strict confidentiality. Any tips provided to CrimeStoppers may be done anonymously. It is ONLY with the permission of the individual providing information that his/her name would ever be revealed. Steven Gomez has given that permission.

CrimeStoppers programs are funded by private donations. Anyone wishing to donate to the programs may do so through each individual county’s CrimeStoppers program as follows:

Union County CrimeStoppers
c/o Charles Mancuso, Treasurer
Sovereign Bank
246 South Avenue
Fanwood, NJ 07023

Morris County CrimeStoppers
P.O. Box 900
Morristown, NJ 07963

Essex County CrimeStoppers
c/o Essex County Sheriff’s Office
Veterans Courthouse
50 West Market Street
Newark, NJ 07102

CrimeStoppers offers rewards of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of an individual involved in a crime. Anyone with information about a crime is encouraged to call CrimeStoppers at:

Union County: (908) 654-TIPS
Morris County: (973) COP-CALL
Essex County: (973) 877-TIPS