New Jersey

Woman Arrested in New Jersey Red Wig Bank Robbery

FBI agents have arrested a woman suspected of robbing a northern New Jersey bank last month while wearing a bright red wig.

Michelle C. Cantatore, of White Plains, New York, was arrested in Atlantic City in connection with the robbery at the Glen Rock Savings Bank. 

A criminal complaint alleges that Cantatore went into the bank wearing a bright red wig on Feb. 18, pulled out a long-barreled paintball handgun and demanded money and threatened to kill bank employees. Tellers initially gave her some cash, but she allegedly made them take her to the vault so she could take more money.

After getting into the vault, she took about $112,900 and ran away. 

Police say that after the robbery, they found a paintball gun that matched the description of the one used in the heist.

Police arrested Cantatore after matching one of her handbags to one seen during the robbery. They say that her SUV, a white Porsche Cayenne, matched the description of the robber's getaway vehicle. Cell records also indicate that Cantatore was in the area around the time of the robbery, the complaint alleges. 

Cantatore currently faces federal bank robbery charges, the U.S. Attorney in New Jersey announced. It's not clear if she has an attorney.

Police noted the bandit shared a similar description of a suspect wanted in the robbery of a Greenwich, Connecticut, bank on Jan. 30.

The FBI has not confirmed whether the heists are linked.

-- Brian Thompson and Jonathan Dienst contributed.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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