Trail of oil leads police to bank robbery getaway car

A Southwest Regional Police Office, out front of the Huntington Bank In Finleyville, After bank robbery around 3:50 pm on Tuesday 12-18-12. Jim Fernce | The Valley Independent

By Chris Buckley

Published: Wednesday, December 19, 2012, 12:21?a.m.
Updated 5 hours ago

A trail of oil led police to the getaway car in a bank robbery Tuesday afternoon.

But the sight of people turning in stolen money they found scattered throughout Union Township really amazed police working to solve the crime.

?They were phenomenal,? said Southwest Regional Police Chief John Hartman. ?As hard as times are, it?s heartening to know there are people who will stop and return something that clearly isn?t theirs and help the police in the investigation.

We were very heartened to see that. Southwestern regional police applaud them for their efforts.?

Shortly before 4 p.m., two black males entered the Huntingdon Bank, 3576 Sheridan Ave. in Union Township. Wielding pistols, they robbed a teller before fleeing in a white Ford Escape with a stolen plate from Monroeville.

After fleeing the scene, Hartman said one of the suspects drove the vehicle over an embankment, tearing out the oil filter and leaving a heavy trail of oil.

Contacting a mechanic, Hartman said he learned that the vehicle could only be driven about two miles before it would stall.

Prior to the crash, police said the suspects threw cash from the vehicle.

Police found the vehicle abandoned a short distance from the bank. Hartman said police obtained ?considerable documentation and evidence.?

The suspects, who are still at large, are considered ?armed and dangerous,? Hartman said.

FBI and Pennsylvania State Police forensics units are working with Southwest Regional police in the ongoing investigation.

Also assisting at the scene were Washington County sheriffs as well as police from Monongahela, Carroll Township and Peters Township.

Chris Buckley is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-684-2642 or cbuckley@tribweb.com.

You must be signed in to add comments

To comment, click the Sign in or sign up at the very top of this page.

There are currently no comments for this story.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/pghlive_vi/~3/miuzaKldI5o/police-bank-hartman

the five year engagement chris kreider correspondents dinner 2012 white house correspondents dinner 2012 whcd 2012 nfl draft kevin durant