N.J. man held for court in holiday-season bank job

A New Jersey man was held on all charges in a bank robbery inside a Ridley Township Acme just before Christmas.

Andrew J. Redfield Sr., 55, Pennsauken, is charged with robbery, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and making terroristic threats in the Dec. 23 robbery of the Citizens Bank inside the Acme Market at 124 Morton Ave. in the Folsom section of the township.

Magisterial District Judge George Dawson heard from the branch manager, who said the bank is located directly across from alcohol aisles in the supermarket. It was a particularly busy Saturday when a man wearing construction overalls, a ski mask and glasses approached her counter about 1 p.m., she said.

“He walked up to the line, placed a bullet on the counter and said, ‘Do not hit any of the alarms. If you would like to see your family tonight, give me $2,000,’ ” according to the manager.

The manager told legal intern Samuel Cholden that she complied with the request and the robber exited the Acme.

The manager said she could not see the man’s face and was scared by the bullet, which she took as a threat. She said she believed if she did not give him the money, he would “go after my family like he stated.”

Following the robbery, she said she contacted security and closed the branch.

Dawson also heard from Ridley Detective Mark Tancredi, who said an officer canvassing the area found a ski mask and overalls behind the nearby Home Depot believed to be part of the outfit the robber was wearing that day.

Tancredi said police also reviewed surveillance video and were able to identify Redfield from clothing he was seen wearing inside the Home Depot. Redfield was reached later that day, then turned himself over to police and provided a recorded confession, Tancredi said.

Tancredi noted that Redfield admitted to placing the bullet on the counter to indicate he was armed, but said he did not actually have a firearm with him.

Defense attorney Jeff Sobel reserved argument and Dawson gave Redfield a formal arraignment date of May 1. Redfield remains in custody at the county jail in Concord in lieu of 10% of $250,000 bail.