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Israel Cosme, 36, was arrested on Jan. 24, 2017, nine days after federal authorities said he robbed the Main Street TD Bank in Little Ferry in an incident captured on surveillance video.
He admitted in federal court in Newark on Tuesday that he threatened to shoot the teller if she didn't comply, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said.
He then reached over the counter, grabbed the teller by the shirt, and forcibly grabbed money out of her hand, authorities said.
FBI agents who later searched his Maryland hotel room said they found a pair of blue jeans and a gray hooded sweatshirt that resembled the clothing he was wearing during that robbery.
Cosme also admitted robbing a TD Bank in New York on Jan. 12, 2017; a TD Bank in Essex, Maryland, on Jan. 22, 2017; and a TD Bank in Baltimore, Maryland, on Jan. 23, 2017.
In each, Carpenito said, Cosme "handed tellers a note demanding money and stating that he had a gun."
Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI with the investigation leading to the plea -- secured by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason S. Gould of his Criminal Division in Newark -- and thanked Little Ferry police for their assitance
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