Bank Robbery Suspect Makes Getaway On Bicycle, 3 Hempfield Twp. Schools Placed On Lockdown
HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- Authorities are looking for a suspect following a bank robbery Wednesday morning that prompted a lockdown at three schools in Westmoreland County.
Police say the CFS Bank on Route 136, or Walton Tea Room Road, in Hempfield Township, was robbed around 9:30 a.m.
According to police, the suspect rode up to the bank on a bicycle. Once inside, he told one of the tellers he had a gun.
"He used a note to pass to the teller," state trooper Stephan Limani said. "She complied with the request to give him money."
It is not known how much money the suspect got away with, but police say he got back on his bike and sped away.
"He got on his bicycle, which is also how he arrived," Limani said. "He fled north on Walton Tea Room Road. He abandoned the bicycle. We don't know how we got away."
Police have located that bike. Detectives do not know if the bike belonged to the alleged robber.
Investigators believe he may, at some point during his getaway, have jumped into a waiting car.
The suspect is described as a white male who was wearing black clothing.
State Police shared new photos of the suspect, saying a search of local businesses turned up surveillance footage of a man matching the bank robbery suspect's description. They say he was seen with a white SUV.
***Robbery Update***
After working with local businesses additional footage was found that fits the description of our actor in the earlier bank robbery and another white male pictured using this SUV. Anyone with information to identify either person or vehicle contact psp pic.twitter.com/daJ9lYkcOI— Troop A Public Information Officers (@PSPTroopAPIO) November 20, 2019
The search for him prompted lockdowns at Hempfield Area High School, Harrold Middle School and Ft. Allen Elementary. All of them are in a half-mile radius of the scene.
The Hempfield School District sent out this emergency message to parents and guardians:
"URGENT: At request of Pennsylvania state police, Harrold, Fort Allen and the High School have been place on lockdown due to a bank robbery. No individuals will be able to leave or enter these schools until the lockdown has been lifted. School police are on site. We will inform you as soon as the lockdown has been lifted."
Bloodhounds were brought in to search the area, but so far no arrests have been made.
The investigation continues.
Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing story.
