Heroin Addict Admits To Chester County Bank Robbery

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WEST CHESTER, PA – A 23-year-old man addicted to heroin told a Common Pleas Court judge he wants to make a change in his life when the time comes for him to walk out of prison.

Instead of robbing banks to fund his addiction, as Michael Brown pleaded guilty to before Judge Anne Marie Wheatcraft on Tuesday, he would rather find a job that allows him to speak to people dealing with the same problem.

Brown, a high school dropout who had been addicted to heroin for three years, told the judge he would appreciate the chance to tell others just starting on the road to drug addiction about how he had made the same mistake, only to see his life ruined by having to feed his habit, court observers said.

Wheatcraft appeared impressed with Brown’s determination, and in a recommendation to the state Department of Corrections, suggested that he be allowed to serve his prison sentence at SCI Chester, which has an advanced drug rehabilitation program for inmates.

Read more: http://www.dailylocal.com/general-news/20140318/heroin-addict-admits-to-bank-robbery

Pottstown Police Changing Tactics To Solve Recent Robberies

Editor’s note:  This picture is the reason Pottstown has such a high crime rate.  Get rid of the drug baggies and you’ll see a big drop in burglary and robbery.  The guy that was arrested for the National Penn Bank robberies was reported to be high on heroin.  Drug addicts have to resort to stealing to support their habits.  And “feverishly” should be the modus operandi until Pottstown is cleaned up.

POTTSTOWN, PA — After six robberies in 20 days, the Pottstown Police Department is working “feverishly” to solve the crimes and work to prevent more, Police Chief Richard Drumheller said.

“I can tell you that we are working on it. I would say feverishly,” Drumheller said Monday. “Obviously we have someone out there right now that is robbing our community and that is extremely unnerving for the residents and we understand that. We are doing a rash of things to try and solve the problem.”

Drumheller did not disclose exact details related to the investigations.

“I can tell you it is a lot of directed patrols at certain areas, at certain time frames. We’ve done a lot of homework on that and we have plotted out some things and we are trying to use the data available to us to our advantage to try and capture (the suspects),” Drumheller said.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20130924/pottstown-police-changing-tactics-to-solve-recent-robberies

Pottstown Man Charged With Robbing High Street Bank Twice In One Month

LOWER POTTSGROVE TOWNSHIP, PA — The man accused of robbing the National Penn Bank on East High Street in Pottstown made his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon.

Christopher Lee Blount, 37, of Pottstown, was charged with two counts of felony robbery, two counts of felony conspiracy to commit robbery and multiple misdemeanors, according to court paperwork.

Blount, who was arrested Tuesday night, appeared in court wearing a light blue paper jumpsuit and black flip-flops.

A former employee at Jake’s Wayback Burger, Blount had the same mode of operation for both bank robberies, police said.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20130919/pottstown-man-charged-with-robbing-high-street-bank-twice-in-one-month

Pottstown National Penn Bank Robbed Again

Location of Pottstown in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  Just another day in delusional paradise for Pottstown’s leadership who think there isn’t a crime problem.

POTTSTOWN, PA — Police are investigating a bank robbery which allegedly occurred late Tuesday afternoon

The National Penn Bank branch at the intersection of East High and North Franklin streets closed around 4 p.m. after it was reportedly robbed.

An active investigation was ongoing around 5 p.m. and Pottstown Police did not divulge a suspect or a description.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20130917/pottstown-national-penn-bank-robbed-again

UPDATED: Pottstown Police Seek Bank Robbery Suspect

Location of Pottstown in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

POTTSTOWN — A man reportedly attempted to rob the National Penn Bank branch at the intersection of High and Franklin streets Friday afternoon.

Approximately 10 police officers responded to the bank around 3:45 p.m. after the suspect fled down South Franklin Street.

Some officers were interviewing bank employees and any witnesses inside the bank, while others walked around the block talking to residents who were standing near the scene.

According to Montgomery County Emergency Dispatch, the suspect was a white male in his 30s wearing a brown, hooded sweatshirt.  The sweatshirt may have had some kind of a logo on its back, police believe.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130830/NEWS01/130839914/updated-pottstown-police-seek-bank-robbery-suspect

Two Banks Robbed In One Day In Montgomery County

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NORRISTOWN — Police are investigating two bank robberies that occurred within an hour of each other Friday in Montgomery County.

The first took place about 4:30 p.m. at Harleysville Savings Bank, 1889 E. Ridge Pike, Upper Providence, and the second at 5:12 p.m. at Univest Bank, 4258 Township Line Road, Skippack.

According to witnesses, a man entered the rear door of the Harleysville Bank and ordered a customer to the floor, Upper Providence police reported.  The man then approached two tellers, demanded money and fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash, police said.  One of the tellers gave the man a dye pack, which was seen to explode as he left the bank, police said.

The Harleysville robber was described as a white male, 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall, wearing a black hat with a black mask that covered his entire face, a tan zipper jacket, dark pants and brown shoes, police said.  He was also wearing blue or possibly green latex gloves, police said.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130525/NEWS01/130529407/two-banks-robbed-in-one-day-in-montgomery-county#full_story

Police Arrest Crime Spree Suspect While Sovereign Bank Robber Still At Large

Chalk up another win for the good guys.  Marcus White of Philadelphia was on a crime spree in Montgomery and Chester counties prior to his arrest on June 2nd.  The suspect has been linked to robberies in Lower Pottsgrove Twp., Limerick Twp. and Coatesville.  Mr. White shot a senior citizen in the leg during the Turkey Hill robbery in Lower Pottsgrove Twp. because the elderly employee could not open the safe.

There are two other male suspects involved that still remain at large.  The investigation into their participation in these crimes is ongoing.

Because one of the robberies includes a US Post Office, Marcus White is facing federal charges in addition to the convenience store armed robbery charges and a shooting! The suspect was stealing money orders, cash and lighters.

In related news, the Sovereign Bank in downtown Pottstown was the scene of an armed robbery Tuesday afternoon.   The suspect wore a mask and carried a gun.  He fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.  Customers were inside the bank during the robbery but no one was hurt.

The FBI description of the suspect is a black male, six-foot two and wearing an Air Jordan hoodie with a BMX-like face mask.  If you have any information, call the FBI at 215-418-4000 or the Pottstown Police Department at 610-970-6570.  A reward is being offered and you can remain anonymous.  The suspect is armed and dangerous but I think that goes without saying since he just robbed a bank at gun-point.

Let’s make this robbery another example of why crime doesn’t pay!