Chatham Borough Cops Hurt Stopping Alleged Attempted Bank Theft

A New York man was arrested Wednesday morning after attempting to fraudulently withdraw money from a Main Street bank and fighting with officers during a getaway attempt, Chatham Borough Police said.

Edward Gustavo Moran, 22, of Bronx, N.Y., was charged with robbery, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of resisting arrest, two counts of forgery, obstruction of justice and exhibiting a false document as proof of identification.

Officers responded to the HSBC Bank at about 11 a.m. Wednesday for a report of a man attempting to withdraw money with a forged form and false identification, according to a Chatham Borough Police statement released Thursday.

Bank employees were alerted of the man because he attempted to withdraw money from the Morristown branch earlier that morning, police said.

Officer Jeffrey Battiloro first arrived on the scene and tried to speak to Moran, who was still in the bank. Moran then assaulted Battiloro as he ran out of the bank, police said.

Officer Matthew Belcastro chased Moran on foot across Main Street and down Dunbar Street, police said. After a struggle, Belcastro placed Moran under arrest at the corner of Martin Place, police said.

Belcastro suffered a broken collarbone in the struggle and Battiloro suffered leg, hip and back injuries and Moran sustained minor injuries, police said. The officers were transported to Morristown Medical Center and Moran was taken to Overlook Hospital.

Moran was lodged in the Morris County Jail in lieu of $100,000.

The investigation remains ongoing and any information can be directed to the Chatham Borough Police Department at 973-635-8000.