A Jersey City man has admitted to robbing nine banks in New Jersey and Connecticut last year and getting away with more than
$39,000, all while dressed in drag.
Huy Trong Luong, 40, pleaded guilty to two bank heists and admitted he was behind seven other robberies or attempted robberies during a five-month period in 2008, acting U.S. Attorney Ralph J. Marra, Jr., said Tuesday.
In each of his robberies, Luong disguised himself as a woman, authorities said.
Inside his getaway minivan, Police found a black wig, a black Dolce & Gabbana hat, a women’s make-up kit and black jacket. In several of the bank robberies, Luong passed a note to the tellers advising them that he had a bomb that he would detonate it if they did not meet his demands.
Luong faces nearly eight years in prison when he is sentenced in July.
Luong admitted his participation in the following robberies and attempted robberies:
• April 30, 2008 robbery of Commerce Bank in Bergenfield, N.J. of $12,020;
• Jan. 11, 2008 robbery of Wachovia Bank in Greenwich, Conn. of $2,000;
• Jan. 13, 2008 robbery of Commerce Bank in Westport, Conn. of $2,000;
• Jan. 22, 2008 robbery of Provident Bank in Toms River, N.J. of $11,109;
• April 20, 2008 robbery of Commerce Bank in New Canaan, Conn. of $3,600;
• April 26, 2008 attempted robbery of Wachovia Bank in Highland Park, N.J.;
• April 28, 2008 robbery of Commerce Bank in Stafford Twp., N.J. of $5,388;
• May 4, 2008 robbery of Commerce Bank in Mahwah, N.J. of $2,950;
• May 5, 2008 attempted robbery of Commerce Bank in Chatham, N.J.
