ERMA — State Police arrested Lower Township residents Edward Hulme, 43, and Damian Leblanc, 39, for allegedly committing three bank robberies and attempting to commit two others in Cape May County.
On Dec. 30, detectives from the Troop “A” Criminal Investigation Office began investigating a robbery that occurred at the Sturdy Savings Bank on State Highway 47 in Dennisville. Detectives say a male suspect entered the bank and handed the teller a note requesting money be placed on the counter. The teller provided cash to the suspect, who then fled the scene in a Honda CRV.
While investigating the Sturdy Savings Bank robbery, two additional robberies were committed. The TD Bank in Marmora was robbed Jan. 7 and the TD Bank in Cape May Court House was robbed Jan. 11.
Based on information gathered during the investigation, 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 discovered 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.
Authorities said detectives identified Hulme as the suspect in the robberies and linked Leblanc to the vehicle, which investigators located at a home on Academy Road in Lower Township where they both reside.
On Feb. 3, members of the Middle Township Police Department determined that Leblanc was operating the Honda CRV in Middle Township, where he was located and arrested during a motor vehicle stop. At the same time, detectives from the Troop “A” Criminal Investigation Office along with members of the State Police T.E.A.M.S. Unit, Middle Township Police Department, Lower Township Police Department, Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Cape May County Sheriff’s Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at the home and arrested Hulme. As a result, investigators seized heroin, Xanax bars and clothing worn by Hulme matching the description of the clothing worn by the suspect during the robberies.
Hulme and Leblanc were charged with robbery, conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances (CDS) and possession of CDS. They were lodged at the Cape May County Jail pending a detention hearing.
