Howell Resident Sentenced to 40 Years for Bank Robberies

Edgar Torres, 45, was sentenced to 40 years in state prison after being convicted of three bank robberies in a three month stretch between 2010 and 2011. 

Torres was convicted of robbing the Provident Bank in Howell in December of 2010, the Chase Bank in Howell in January of 2011 and the February 2011 robbery of the Chase Bank in Ocean Township.

According to a press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office during each robbery Torres would attempt to "conceal his identity," and would then display a handgun and demand money from a teller. 

The conviction came after a joint investigation by the prosecutor's office and the Howell Police Department. He was arrested on February 25, 2011. 

Torres was convicted in November. The case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutors Margaret Koping and Maria Franceschini. Torres was represented by Michael DeBlis of Freehold. 

Torres' sentence is subjet to No Early Relase Act meaning he will have to serve 85 percent, or 34 years, before he is eligible for parole.