Wanted Bank Robber Caught Leaving Town On Greyhound Bus
CARLISLE, Pa. (KDKA) -- A man wanted for multiple bank robberies was caught as he tried to leave town on a Greyhound bus Saturday.
According to the Shaler Township Police Department, 40-year-old Jason Betz was taken into custody with assistance from Pennsylvania State Police.
The Allegheny County Sheriff's Office says authorities began searching for Betz on Wednesday after he was seen at Pyramid Healthcare/Rehab in Wilkinsburg, where he stole the keys to an employee's mini-van. The sheriff's office says Betz was a former resident of the rehab center.
Betz was then determined to be responsible for two bank robberies on Thursday. Both took place at Citizens Bank branches inside Giant Eagle stores. One was in Shaler Township, and the other was in Bethel Park.
The stolen mini-van was recovered in Lawrenceville on Friday morning.
Police received a tip Saturday morning that Betz was travelling out of town on a Greyhound bus. Greyhound officials say the bus left Pittsburgh just after 6:30 a.m. and was heading to Philadelphia.
Troopers located the bus and made a traffic stop near Carlisle. He was taken into custody without incident and has been lodged in the Cumvberland County Jail.
Greyhound officials say no customers were affected by the incident, and the bus continued safely on to Philadelphia.
Shaler Police say he will face several charges, including two counts of robbery, and one count each of simple assault and terroristic threats. Bethel Park Police say Betz has an extensive criminal history.
Betz was also wanted on a parole violation.
A third robbery took place Thursday afternoon at a Citizens Bank inside a Giant Eagle in Monroeville, but police did not officially determine if Betz was involved in that robbery.
Betz was previously arrested for robbing multiple Citizens Bank branches inside Giant Eagle stores in 2011.
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