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Bellevue Bank Robbery Suspect Apologizes At Preliminary Hearing

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Brandy Greulich apologized as she walked out of what was supposed to be a preliminary hearing this morning.

"I am extremely sorry. I'm sorry for scaring anybody. I'm sorry for, it was a mistake and if I could take it back I would," Greulich said.

The hearing was postponed until next week.

Greulich is facing several charges including robbery and threatening to use weapons of mass destruction.

The felonies stem from Jan. 27.

Police say that's when the single mother from Brighton Heights pulled up to the drive-thru window at the PNC Bank branch in Bellevue around 1 p.m.

She was in an SUV with fake Ohio plates.

She allegedly passed a note to the teller demanding $40,000 in cash.

The note went on to warn that there were bombs in the vehicle, the bank, and at the homes of bank employees.

When police arrived just minutes later, they were able to block off the bank exit. Greulich was still in the SUV, in the drive-thru.

The Allegheny County Bomb Squad was called in and a robot was used to make sure there were no explosives.

Nearby Bellevue businesses were evacuated and Bellevue Elementary School was placed on lockdown.

Eventually, students were transported to Northgate High School.

"I'm sorry to every parent that I scared. I'm sorry for everybody that had to go through that," she said.

At the time of the crime, Greulich told police she had recently lost her job.

Today, she said her actions were the result of tough times and not thinking clearly.

"Horrible decision-making, if I could take it back, I would in a heartbeat," she said.

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