Morris Prosecutor: Little Falls Man Sentenced for Pequannock and Wayne Bank Robberies

Published on May 09, 2020

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Acting Chief of Investigations Christoph Kimker, and Pequannock Police Chief Brian Spring announce the sentencing of Philip N. McGrantham, 70, of Little Falls in connection with two 2019 bank robberies in Pequannock and Wayne.(, 0B)

McGrantham pled guilty in December to first degree Robbery and second degree Robbery in connection with the two bank robberies that occurred in September of 2019.

On Friday, May 8, Superior Court Judge Robert Hanna sentenced McGrantham to an aggregate sentence of five years in New Jersey State Prison. McGrantham must serve 85 percent of this term before he is eligible for parole. McGrantham also was ordered to pay restitution for unrecovered proceeds from the Pequannock robbery.

This prosecution stemmed from bank robberies committed by McGrantham. On Sept. 26, 2019, the defendant entered the Wells Fargo Bank, located at 523 Route 23 in Pequannock and demanded money from the teller. After being provided a sum of money, he fled the scene.

Four days later, on Sept. 30, the defendant entered the TD Bank, located at 280 Valley Road in Wayne and again demanded money. In addition, the defendant threatened the teller that he would detonate an explosive if money was not provided. McGrantham was apprehended at his home in Little Falls later that afternoon. He was found in possession of proceeds from the TD Bank robbery.

Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Tara Wang and Passaic County Assistant Prosecutor Steven Bollenbach represented the state during the prosecution and sentencing.

Multiple county, local and federal law enforcement agencies were responsible for the successful prosecution of this defendant. Their collaborative work is a model for future investigations, said Prosecutor Knapp.

Prosecutor Knapp acknowledges the contributions of various agencies, including the Pequannock and Wayne police departments, FBI, Morris County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Passaic County Prosecutor's Office, and Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crime Unit for their "exceptional collaboration'' that led to the positive identification and successful prosecution of McGrantham.

Inquiries should be directed to Public Information Officer Meghan Knab at mknab@co.morris.nj.us or at 973.829-8159