Rash Of Bank Robberies Being Investigated As Holiday Season Begins
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A man accused of robbing a bank changed his plea to guilty Wednesday in federal court. It comes during a rash of robberies that seem to be more prevalent this time of year.
Michael Leicht, who was arrested in April for the robbery of the First Commonwealth Bank in Munhall and the Citizens Bank in Forest Hills, has pleaded guilty to federal bank robbery charges.
He faces 46 to 57 months in prison depending on how a federal judge rules at his sentencing in March. He told police then he needed money to pay his bills. About $1,500 was stolen.
That plea was entered during a steady string of bank robberies as the holiday season approaches.
The FBI, Allegheny County and Homestead Police released pictures this week of a bank robber who held up the First Commonwealth Bank in Homestead.
He carried a square case claiming it contained a bomb and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. He's described as a white male with a thin build, blonde to light brown hair and a beard.
Just last week, investigators released pictures hoping to find the man who robbed the First National Bank on Freeport Road in O'Hara Township.
He handed a note to the teller, ran with the cash and got away in an older-model tan Jeep Cherokee.
In general, the holiday season attracts bank robberies because of past due bills, a perception there's no other way to feed the family or the need to buy holiday gifts, but often drugs are at issue.
When Christopher Furay recently pleaded guilty to a string of South Hills bank robberies beginning last holiday season in December, he admitted he needed the money to feed his drug addiction.
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