1997-03-21 Wesbanco, Wheeling WV
Robbery
WESBANCO, Woodsdale Branch, 835 National Road, Wheeling, WV, Friday, 03/21/1997, 9:12 a.m.
M.O.
Armed bank takeover. Subject robbed teller and also took money being counted by a bank officer. Brandished a large semi-automatic pistol equipped with laser sights (he put the red dot on the victim teller’s chest). Wore a police scanner attached to his belt. Put money in a dark cloth bag with drawstring. After getting the money, subject took a bank employee’s car keys, forced that employee to exit the bank with him, and then made his getaway in the employee’s personal vehicle (leaving the employee at the bank). The employee’s vehicle was abandoned a short distance from the bank. He may possibly have switched into a small white pickup truck. Subject was very calm, commanding, and professional throughout the robbery. The same subject is believed to have robbed a bank in West Palm Beach, FL, 2 years earlier on 01/13/1995. (Photos from Florida robbery are shown below.) ARMED AND DANGEROUS.
Description
Male, white, 30 – 35 years, 5’10″ – 6’0″, medium to stocky build, black hair (possibly a wig), short full beard and mustache which were lighter in color than subject’s head hair, dark-frame clear-lens glasses; wore a black cowboy hat with brim turned down in front, with round silver medallions around hatband; gray business suit, white shirt, and tie; cowboy boots; possibly wearing body armor. Carried large automatic with laser sights.
Contact
FBI-Pittsburgh, 412-456-9311 (Day) or 412-471-2000 (24-hour)
Wheeling (WV) Police Department, 304-238-1100
In other areas, call the nearest FBI office.
RELATED FLORIDA ROBBERY:
RobberyFIRST UNION BANK, 802 Southern Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL, Friday, 01/13/1995, 12:10 p.m.
M.O.
Armed bank takeover. Subject entered bank and announced robbery. He carried a police scanner, and he told people in the bank that he would hear if anyone pulled an alarm. Subject brandished a large semiautomatic pistol equipped with laser sights (wore cross-draw holster on left front belt). Threw several bags to tellers for them to put money in. He gave the tellers a specified amount of time to comply, and he clocked the time with a stop watch. Told everyone else in bank to get down on floor. Made getaway in a vehicle which he had carjacked from a car salesman who accompanied him on a test drive about an hour before the holdup. Car was abandoned locally. Subject is also believed to have robbed a bank 2 years later on 03/21/1997 at Wheeling, WV. ARMED AND DANGEROUS.
Description
Male, white, early to mid-30′s, 5’9″ – 6’0″, reddish/brown hair (described as brown with reddish or orangish splotches, possibly dyed or a wig), mustache, slim to medium build, gold-rim clear-lens glasses; wearing black cowboy hat with silver medallions around hatband, gray suit, white shirt, tie, cowboy boots; possibly wearing concealed body armor.
Contact
FBI-Pittsburgh, 412-471-2000 (24-hour)
In other areas, call the nearest FBI office.
