Credit Union Teller Fired After Being Accused of Violent Home Invasion
CU officials conduct a "review of the employee’s file and hiring procedures that had taken place regarding this employee."
Mike MacPherson, president/CEO of the $311 million Freedom Federal Credit Union in Bel Air, Md., said he was shocked and appalled after police alleged a former teller committed a violent home invasion of a member who withdrew a large sum of money.
Nathan Michael Newell, 19, of Bel Air, who worked at the credit union’s Fountain Green branch for less than nine months, was fired last week after seven charges of home invasion, assault, burglary and robbery, were filed by prosecutors in Harford County District Court.
“We are shocked and appalled to hear of the events that led to the assault and injury of a longtime member of our credit union,” MacPherson said. “Our thoughts go out to him, and his family, during this difficult time.”
At 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, the Harford County Sheriff’s office received a call that a burglary was in progress at the member’s Bel Air home on Still Pond Way.
Newell allegedly forced his way into the home after a 78-year-old male resident opened the door. Newell immediately began assaulting the resident until a second resident, the man’s 57-year-old stepdaughter, intervened, according to police and local media reports.
The man was hospitalized and the stepdaughter was treated for a minor injury at the scene.
At one point during the scuffle, Newell, who is 6 foot, 2 inches tall and weighs 250 pounds, allegedly held both victims by their throats and kept asking where the money was, according to court documents and a report by the Baltimore Sun.
When Newell ran upstairs, the step-daughter ran to a nearby home to call police. Newell fled the area before police arrived at the home.
During the struggle, Newell’s mask came off, which enabled the victims to identify him as the suspect.
He was arrested on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at the credit union branch.
“In our 66-year history, this is the first time a situation like this has ever occurred,” MacPherson wrote in a letter to members. “In light of these events, we did a thorough review of the employee’s file and hiring procedures that had taken place regarding this employee. Our procedures met all federal and state regulations, including rigorous background checks, credit checks, state, federal and national crime records checks and previous employment verification. There was nothing revealed during this process or subsequently, to indicate the potential for such an outcome.”
During a court hearing, it was revealed that Newell did not have a criminal history. He is being held at the Harford County Detention Center.
MacPherson said that as a result of this unprecedented experience, the credit union is doing everything in its power to prevent a similar occurrence.
“Please be assured that each and every member’s safety and security is our highest priority,” MacPherson said. “This situation is an affront to our members, our credit union, our staff and the Harford County community as a whole. It is in stark contrast to everything we believe in as an organization.”