Off-Duty NJ Fire Lieutenant Charged with Bank Robbery

Nov. 10, 2016
The suspect reportedly had huge medical bills from a health incident earlier this year.

A Burlington Township Fire Department lieutenant facing huge medical bills allegedly robbed a bank, passing a note to a teller demanding cash saying he had a weapon.

According to NJ Advance Media’s web site, Andrew Baldinger, 42, of Westampton was arrested after he allegedly robbed a TD Bank in Willingboro on Friday afternoon.

His alleged actions shocked Burlington officials.

“We are aware of the allegations and Andrew is now on administrative leave,” John J. Stewart Jr., Burlington Township’s director of fire services told the news agency.

Stewart said Baldinger had been promoted to as a volunteer lieutenant of the Burlington Township Fire Department early in 2016 shortly before he went on medical leave. He is also listed a volunteer member of the Beverly-Edgwater Park Emergency Squad, according to NJ.com.

NJ.com reports that Baldinger’s Facebook page mentions many health problems and hospitalizations and he didn’t know how he could pay them. A friend also started a Gofundme site in March to raise $2,000 to help defray medical costs not covered by insurance.

Police stopped Baldinger’s vehicle shortly after the robbery after being notified of its whereabouts. He was taken into custody without incident and was charged with robbery and weapons charges.

He was held in Burlington County Jail on $100,000 bail.

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