License-plate scanner leads to charges against 2 in N.J.

By Robert Moran, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Posted: July 04, 2012

With the help of a technology that scans license plates to track down criminals, police in Camden County arrested a pair of suspected bank robbers Tuesday.

Adam P. Cybulski 3d, 55, and Michele L. Fidanza, 31, were charged with robbing a PNC Bank branch Monday in Gloucester Township, police said.

Cybulski, a former Berlin resident now described as homeless, entered the bank around 11:20 a.m. and threatened a teller by saying he had a weapon, police said. He left with an undisclosed amount of money and fled in a black 1998 Mercedes-Benz driven by Fidanza, of Pine Hill, police said.

Witnesses recorded the license-plate number, which police entered into the Automated License Plate Reader system database.

Police learned that the Mercedes had been photographed by the system, mounted on a patrol car, in June. The image and related suspect information were distributed to police throughout the state.

Gloucester Township police didn't have to look far or wait long.

Township patrol officers spotted the Mercedes on Williamstown Road at 11:16 a.m. Tuesday. Cybulski and Fidanza were arrested without incident.

Cybulski was charged with first-degree armed robbery and was being held on $250,000 bail. Fidanza was charged with second-degree armed robbery and was being held on $100,000 bail.

The Automated License Plate Reader system can be used to identify stolen vehicles and check whether the registered owner has warrants or is otherwise in trouble with the law.

Contact Robert Moran at 215-854-5983 or bmoran@phillynews.com, or follow @RobertMoran215 on Twitter.

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