Marcelino Garcia of Hackensack is accused of robbing 10 banks in Bergen and Passaic.
HACKENSACK - The man suspected of being the 'Count Down bandit' made a first appearance in court Friday morning, pleading not guilty to charges he robbed 10 banks in Bergen and Passaic counties.
Dressed in an orange jumpsuit, Marcelino Garcia, 23, did not speak during the brief hearing.
A Hackensack resident, Garcia allegedly robbed the banks over a 16-month period, each time counting down until tellers handed over cash.
He was arrested after a law-enforcement task force that included the FBI, several police departments and the prosecutor's office began investigating the robberies six months ago, according to Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal said.
Count Down bandit ID'd as Hackensack man
Grewal said investigators linked Garcia to a vehicle spotted at robberies in Rochelle Park, Maywood, River Edge, New Milford, Glen Rock, Lyndhurst, Oradell, Wayne and Garfield.
Garcia was arrested at his home on Thursday after the robbery of the SpencerSavings Bank in Wallington.
NorthJersey.com reported Friday that Garcia was charged on July 9, 2015 with driving without a license. He was released Aug. 3 after posting $369 bail, nine days before authorities now allege that he robbed a bank in Maywood.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.