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East Liberty Man Charged in White Oak, Wilmerding Bank Robberies

By Submitted Report
The Tube City Almanac
March 03, 2016
Posted in: Crime and Police News

A man from Pittsburgh's East Liberty neighborhood has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the robbery of the First Commonwealth Bank in White Oak and Compass Federal Savings Bank in Wilmerding.

Leonard D. Gibbons, 55, of Station Street was indicted Tuesday on five counts, including bank robbery and violations of federal firearms laws, U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton said yesterday.

Gibbons is currently being held in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bond, court officials said.

Investigators said that on July 17, 2015, Gibbons held up Compass Bank, fleeing with $7,828. Four months later, on Nov. 19, 2015, Gibbons used a firearm and held up First Commonwealth, netting $3,971, Hickton said.

According to a published report, the robber was spotted fleeing First Commonwealth by a worker at a nearby store, who gave police a description of his getaway car. When the car was seen in McKeesport a short time later, city police and the Allegheny County sheriff's office gave chase and ultimately arrested the driver, identified as Gibbons.

Court records indicate that Gibbons faces related charges, including robbery, simple assault, and fleeing and eluding police, from the White Oak police and Allegheny County police.

Gibbons has been convicted of multiple felony offenses in the past, Hickton said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Hart is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government, a spokesman said. In addition to White Oak and Allegheny County police, the FBI and McKeesport and North Versailles Twp. police conducted the investigation that led to Gibbons' indictment, according to Hickton.

Originally published March 03, 2016.

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