Police say a suspect in a bank robbery shaved his facial hair when he realized police were closing in on him, then went to offer help to the officers canvassing his neighborhood.
Michael Morgan, 33, allegedly held up the 1st Colonial National Bank in Westville Wednesday afternoon, handing the teller a note demanding cash. He ran away with about $900 in cash.
Police identified Morgan as the suspect when they matched his image on surveillance video to the man they'd encountered in a previous police call, officials said.
As officers began canvassing his neighborhood on Highland Avenue, Morgan, who was at home, shaved his facial hair, changed his clothes and went out to walk his dog.
Police Chief Bill Whinna told South Jersey Times Morgan "did a good job of changing his appearance."
"He was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a jacket at the time of the robbery, so he also appeared heavier in the bank picture," said Whinna.
Whinna told the paper Morgan was arrested after he approached officers and asked if they needed any help.
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One officer thought he recognized Morgan from the surveillance picture and asked him his name. Morgan reportedly offered his full name, and police arrested him.
Morgan was being charged with robbery, theft and possession of drug paraphernalia, after officers discovered hypodermic needles in his pocket, police said.
It wasn't clear if he had an attorney.
