Armed robbery suspect found guilty in Brick TD Bank hold-up

A Toms River man accused of trying to hold up a TD bank on Hooper Avenue in Brick Township in October, 2015, was found guilty of armed robbery with a fake gun Wednesday by a jury in Ocean County Superior Court in Toms River.

22-year-old Michael D. Gibson was convicted of first degree robbery and third degree possession of an imitation firearm, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

Bank employees were locking up for the day on October 6, 2015, when Gibson entered the vestibule shortly after 5 p.m. and banged on the glass door with a gun, while customers were still inside, according to authorities. They hid behind the teller desk until Gibson left and then called police.

Gibson fled in a blue Toyota, but was followed by a concerned citizen was saw Gibson in the vestibule.

Brick Township police conducted a motor vehicle stop on Beaverson Boulevard and arrested Gibson. A black air soft handgun was recovered from his vehicle, according to authorities.

Gibson admitted to brandishing the handgun in the vestibule during an interview with Detectives, police said.

At trial, two TD Bank employees, a concerned citizen, and the police involved testified.

Gibson claimed renunciation, or that he had abandoned his purpose to rob the bank. His defense was rejected by the jury when it returned verdicts of guilty of armed robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.

Gibson faces up to 25 years in prison when sentenced in November. He remains at the Ocean County Jail without bail.

Contact reporter Dianne DeOliveira at Dianne.DeOliveira@townsquaremedia.com.