Three arrested in South Jersey bank holdups

State and federal authorities yesterday announced the arrests of three people they believe were involved in five South Jersey bank robberies since April 18.

State police said the arrests came shortly after two of the suspects robbed a Cumberland County bank Monday.

Howard Hiles, 34, and his girlfriend, Jenny Hedden, 29, who live together in Carneys Point, Salem County, were held yesterday in the Cumberland County jail after failing to post $30,000 cash bail.

The third suspect, Dustin Corney, 32, of Bridgeton, Cumberland County, was held in the Cape May County jail, with bail set at $100,000 cash.

Federal authorities were completing charges against the three yesterday.

The first robbery occurred at Sun National Bank in Vineland, Cumberland County. Authorities believe the suspects then hit Harvest Comunity Bank in Pennsville, Salem County, on May 4; TD Bank in Gloucester Township and Ocean City Home Bank in Marmora, Cape May County, on May 11; and Newfield National Bank in Hopewell on Monday.

Authorities were sorting out how many of the robberies to charge to each suspect, but said Hiles was suspected in all five.

Hedden was involved in at least two, state police said, and Corney has been "tentatively" linked to three.

In each, the robbers passed a note demanding cash. No guns were used.

Corney was believed to have worn a motorcycle helmet into each bank he is accused of robbing, with Hiles or Hedden driving him.

Investigators identified the three as suspects partly through witnesses.

On Monday, Hedden drove Hiles to the Hopewell bank, where he demanded money, officials said. A surveillance team watched Hedden drop Hiles at a house in Hopewell, then drive to a nearby gas station, where she was arrested.

State police would not say if the surveillance team was following them when they went to the bank. Troopers arrested Hiles at the home he was visiting. The stolen cash was recovered there, authorities said.

Corney also was arrested Monday at his home.