Former high school football player indicted in connection with bank robberies

A former Scotch Plains-Fanwood football player was indicted in connection with the robberies of two TD Bank branches in December.

According to MyCentralJersey.com, Andrew D. Miller, age 20, of Donato Circle, was indicted on two charges of first-degree robbery. In December, Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano said in a press release at approximately 1:24 p.m., Bridgewater Township Police responded to a 911 call reporting a robbery at the TD Bank located on Union Avenue.

When officers arrived at the bank, they spoke with bank employees who said that an unidentified man handed the bank teller a note announcing the robbery. MyCentralJersey.com reports that Miller gave the teller a note saying it was a "stickup" and demanded $10,000, tellingthe teller not to press the bank's silent alarm. The teller handed over cash after which time the suspect fled the bank on foot. Law enforcement agencies throughout the area were given a description of the suspect.

As police arrived at the bank to investigate, they were alerted to another robbery in nearby Green Brook Township. Much like the first robbery, the suspect allegedly handed a bank teller a note demanding money and verbally instructing the teller what denominations he wanted, authorities said in December. Once again, the suspect fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of money and a description was broadcast to surrounding law enforcement agencies.

A short time later, at approximately 2:46 p.m., police in Somerset County were informed about an active foot pursuit involving officers from the Scotch Plains Police Department and the bank robbery suspect.

Scotch Plains Police Chief Brian Mahoney said Police Officer Zach Von Langen was on routine patrol when he observed a man matching the description of the suspect approaching the TD Bank on Park Avenue in Scotch Plains. The officer then radioed for assistance but as additional units approached, the suspect took off on foot and headed north across Route 22. Officers and units from the Scotch Plains K9 unit tracked Miller to an apartment at Donato Circle, believing he was hiding inside. A SWAT team eventually gained entry to the apartment but Miller was not there.

As this was taking place, police also received another report stating that a man matching Miller’s description was seen fleeing the apartment complex and cutting through a creek. Local and county authorities conducted a search of the area and found Miller hiding in the bathroom of a Subway Restaurant on Route 22 West. He was arrested by Scotch Plains police and later turned over to authorities in Somerset County.

Toniann Antonelli is the digital managing editor for news at NJ 101.5. Reach her at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.