MAHWAH, N.J. – The phrase “Known to police” fits a Tenafly native who authorities said robbed a Mahwah bank on Sunday with a teaching assistant from Hasbrouck Heights as his getaway driver.
Joel L. Robbins, 47, and his accused getaway driver, 52-year-old Wanda Soel of Hasbrouck Heights, were being held in the Bergen County Jail on an FBI detainer early Monday, following a chase and crash Sunday afternoon after the TD Bank branch on northbound Route 17 in Mahwah was robbed.
Arrested in Fort Lee in 2010 on cocaine and heroin distribution charges; arrested in Oradell in 2009 on aggravated assault charges; probation violations in 2008; arrested in Tenafly in 2007 on assault charges; arrested in Ridgefield Park in 2006 on charges of aggravated assault with a weapon, weapons possession and drug offenses – which also brought a probation violation; arrested in Park Ridge on drug and theft charges in 2006.
The 5-foot-6-inch, 145-pound Robbins entered the bank just before 1 p.m. with his face covered and carrying a replica handgun, Mahwah Police Chief James N. Batelli said.