Police identify suspect in area bank robberies
BY MELISSA CIFELLI
Staff Writer

Caleb A. Frosh

SOUTH BRUNSWICK — He could be the man behind the note.

Police have identified the serial bank robber suspected in six robberies in Central New Jersey as Caleb A. Frosh, 22, of Columbus, Ohio. He has been linked by state police to bank robberies in Monroe, South Brunswick, Woodbridge, Edison and Rocky Hill. The robberies all occurred within the last five months.

Monroe Township police identified Frosh through fingerprints left at the robbery of the Provident Bank in the township, according to South Brunswick Detective James Ryan.

Frosh, a known transient, is believed to have driven by bus from Ohio to New Jersey last spring, and he may be staying at hotels or motels in northern New Jersey, police said.

He is wanted on a warrant in Columbus for violating his probation stemming from a home invasion. Monroe also has a warrant out for his arrest, and additional warrants are likely to follow, Ryan said.

Frosh is suspected of robbing the PNC Bank on Georges Road in South Brunswick’s Dayton section in late May. He allegedly handed the teller a note demanding cash and claimed he had a weapon. Frosh stole more than $2,000 during that robbery, though no weapon was shown.

On June 25, the suspect — described as a black male of medium build and a cornrow hairstyle — walked into the Provident Bank in Monroe and handed the teller a note stating that he was robbing the bank. The man did not show a weapon, but continually reached for his belt, leading the teller to believe he may have had a gun.

Frosh is also suspected of robbing the Bank of America in Rocky Hill on April 30; the Wachovia Bank in Edison May 31; the Northfield Bank, also in Edison on July 26; and the Bank of America in Woodbridge on Aug. 1, according to police.

Witnesses gave similar accounts, later confirmed by surveillance footage, in all five bank robberies.

It’s been difficult to track Frosh because police have not been able to substantiate his connections in the area, Ryan said.

Frosh also strikes different banks and at different times of the day, according to Ryan.

“His method is unique, but his pattern is not,” Ryan said.

Frosh was seen leaving the scene of one robbery in a silver or gray van, he said.

Frosh should be considered armed and dangerous, police said.

The investigation is being coordinated by both the state police, the FBI and local police departments. A reward of $1,000 has been offered for information leading to his arrest.

Anyone with information should contact detectives at the state police station in Hamilton at (609) 584-5015.

Staff writer Seth Mandel contributed to this story.