A woman from Somerset County, New Jersey, has been arrested and charged with bank robbery, according to an announcement by Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna. The suspect, Ciara Brascom, 39, from Skillman, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni in Trenton federal court on February 11, 2025.
The charges stem from an incident on July 28, 2024. Documents filed in the case and statements made in court indicate that Brascom entered a Princeton bank and demanded money while holding what appeared to be a black handgun. During the robbery, she allegedly threatened to use the weapon if the alarm was activated and left the scene with approximately $60,500.
Bank robbery is a serious offense carrying a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their role in investigating the case under Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly's direction in Newark. He also acknowledged assistance from the Princeton Police Department led by Chief Christopher Tash and Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office directed by Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard G. Shephard from the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Trenton is representing the government in this case.
It is important to note that charges contained within complaints are accusations only; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
