Atlantic County Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Two Banks For $1,480

An Atlantic County man plead guilty to bank robberies in Atlantic City and Ventnor, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced on Wednesday, Aug. 8. The robberies took place on Jan. 12 of this year.

Larry Patrick Kearns, 45, of Landisville, plead guilty to robbing a Wells Fargo Bank in Atlantic City and a Sun National Bank in Ventnor in Camden federal court, Fishman said. The total amount involved in the robberies was $1,480. Kearns now faces potential penalties of 20 years in prison and fines of $250,000 for each charge he plead guilty to. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 20, Fishman said.

According to statements made in court and documents filed in the case, Kearns first entered the Wells Fargo Bank, where he approached a bank teller, threatened her and demanded money, Fishman said. Kearns procured $80 from the teller before fleeing to Margate and stealing a car, Fishman said.

He then used the car in his robbery of Sun National Bank, according to Fishman. He once again approached the bank teller, threatened her and demanded money, according to Fishman. This time, he took $1,400 and fled in the stolen car, Fishman said.

However, while fleeing the scene of the crime, Kearns crashed the car into a tree and was then apprehended by police, Fishman said.

Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special

Agent In Charge Michael B. Ward in Newark, as well as the Atlantic City Police Department, the Ventnor Police Department, the Margate Police Department and the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office for their work leading to the plea.