Madison Bank Fraud Incident Leads to Injured Officer and Arrest

Madison, NJ – April 3, 2023 – A potential fraud incident at Citizens Bank on Main Street led to the injury of a Madison Police Department Corporal and the arrest of one suspect yesterday afternoon. 

At approximately 4:00 PM, Morris County Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call reporting the ongoing fraud. Madison patrol units responded swiftly to the scene.

Upon arrival, officers identified the suspect within the bank, who then fled the scene in a waiting vehicle. 

Corporal Aquino was injured while attempting to detain the fleeing suspect and was treated for minor injuries at Morristown Medical Center. 

The suspect's vehicle, a dark-colored Jeep Cherokee, was later abandoned as one suspect, Christopher Barrington White, age 46, fled on foot. [read Madison Police Department's remarks below for specifics...]

White was apprehended with the assistance of several police agencies, including the Morris County Sherriff K-9 Unit, New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit, and County of Morris Office of Emergency Management Drone Unit. He now faces twelve charges, including aggravated assault on a police officer, forgery, and credit card theft.

One suspect remains at large, but there is no current threat to public safety. [This was not related to the St. Elizabeth's Lockdown yesterday...more from the Daily Record on that incident.]

Remarks on Recent Arrest by Madison Police Department -

Madison, NJ – April 4, 2023 – On April 3, 2023, around 4:00 PM, Morris County Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call reporting a potential fraud in progress at Citizens Bank (134 Main Street). Madison patrol units were dispatched and responded to the scene. Upon arrival, patrol officers located the identified suspect in the bank. The suspect quickly fled through the front door into a vehicle waiting in the vicinity. During the attempt to flee, Madison Police Department Corporal Aquino was injured while trying to detain the suspect. Corporal Aquino was subsequently transported to Morristown Medical Center with minor injuries, was treated and released.

Both suspects fled the scene in a dark colored Jeep Cherokee, while one suspect was hanging from the side of the vehicle. Christopher Barrington White, age 46, with a last known residence in Brooklyn, NY, was unable to hold onto the vehicle and fled on foot south from Main Street towards Kings Road.

Several police agencies were requested to assist, including the Morris County Sherriff K-9 Unit, New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit and County of Morris Office of Emergency Management Drone Unit. A perimeter was quickly established, and White was located in the rear of a Kings Road property and subsequently taken into custody.

White was arrested and transported to Morristown Medical Center for an evaluation. The incident is still under investigation by Madison Police Bureau of Investigation with assistance from U.S. Homeland Security Investigations. White is being charged with twelve charges including: one count of aggravated assault on a police officer, one count of obstruction by flight, one count of hindering, one count of impersonation, one count of forgery, one count of attempt criminal trespassing, one count of criminal trespassing, one count of credit card theft, two counts of false government documents and two counts of resisting arrest.

“I applaud the quick work of the Madison Police Officers and our local agencies for their work in responding to apprehend the suspect who fled on foot, and subsequently investigating the incident. Thanks to our continued training, all officers were prepared and equipped to respond in a means that ensured that the threat to public safety was minimal, while also ensuring that the suspect was quickly located,” said Madison Police Chief Miscia.

One suspect is still at large and still needs to be identified, but at this time there is no threat to public safety. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Madison Police Department Detective Sergeant Shannon at 973-593-3000 and reference case number 2023-07820. Anonymous calls can be made to Morris County Crime Stoppers at 973-267-2255.

Agencies that responded to the incident included U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, New Jersey State Troopers, New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit, Morris County Sherriff Patrol Unit, Morris County Sherriff K-9 Unit, County of Morris Office of Emergency Management, Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, East Hanover, Florham Park, Hanover Township and Morris Township.

No further information is available at this time, and no further comments will be made on this case. The suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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