Squirrel Hill Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested
SQUIRREL HILL (KDKA) – A bank robbery suspect was arrested after a brief chase Wednesday morning in Squirrel Hill.
According to officials at the scene, the suspect held up the First National Bank in the 1900-block of Murray Avenue around 9 a.m.
It is believed the suspect got away with about $2,000 in cash.
"Entered the bank, produced a very large handgun – it was a revolver and proceeded to robbery three of the tellers," said Lt. Kevin Kraus, of Pittsburgh Police.
Around 9:40 a.m., police received a 911 call about a suspicious man hiding in bushes on Beacon Street. A postal worker first spotted him there.
When police responded to the scene, the suspect took off on foot.
Police quickly spotted him and began a pursuit in front of Hillel Academy. One police vehicle slammed into a tree in front of the school in effort to cut off the suspect.
"By the time I got outside, the police officer was already halfway up the block. So, he kind of hit the tree and ran to get the... cause he was the first police officer on the scene," Sam Weinberg said.
However, the suspect continued to run and hid in more bushes before he was found and taken into custody.
"All I saw is these cops picking him up and bringing him down here putting him on the street and cuffing him," Peter Gonsonheimer said.
The stolen money was found in the driveway of the home where the suspect was initially hiding. Authorities say a gun and some marijuana were also recovered when they took him into custody.
The suspect's has not been identified at this time. He was treated for a leg injury.
He is facing robbery, drug and weapons charges.
Two officers were treated at the scene, one for shortness of breath and the other for a leg injury. The officer who crashed is going to be okay.
A special crash review board will be reviewing the incident to make sure proper procedures were followed.
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