Bank robbed in McDonald
McDonald police and the FBI are investigating a holdup Monday morning at Huntington Bank in the center of the borough that straddles Washington and Allegheny counties, searching for a tall man wearing glasses and a flat cloth cap.
Word went out that the robber had struck inside the bank at 100 W Lincoln Ave. and North McDonald Street at about 10:25 a.m. when one customer was present.
The white-front building has the name First National Bank chiseled above its ornate entrance, where an orange placard bearing the message, “Office temporarily closed due to an emergency,” had been placed on the door.
A Cecil Township police officer was turning away customers who approached the building until about noon, and the bank remained closed all day at the request of McDonald police and the FBI.
“He gestured with his hand as if he had a weapon in his waistband, but it is unknown if there was a weapon present or not,” said McDonald Police Officer Brad Resnik.
The approximately 6-foot-tall perpetrator, who may be in his 50s, was wearing black sweatpants and a dark jacket. His hair was pulled back in a short ponytail. He was believed to be on foot, according to the description broadcast to area police departments, because no vehicle was spotted.
Fort Cherry schools were placed on alert after the robbery, an administrator said, but the buildings were not locked down.
Also assisting McDonald police were the Mt. Pleasant Township, Oakdale, North Fayette and police department and the Washington County sheriff’s office.
Another Huntington Bank, 1985 Lincoln Way, in White Oak, Allegheny County, was also robbed Monday about 9:45 a.m. by two white men wearing white plastic coveralls and black ski masks.
“At this time, we don’t believe the two are related,” said Kelly Kochamba, FBI spokeswoman in Pittsburgh, said of the McDonald and White Oak robberies.
She asked anyone with information about the crimes to call the FBI Pittsburgh field office at 412-432-4000.
McDonald Police asked that anyone who recognizes the robber in their jurisdiction to call their department at 724-926-2105 or Washington County 911 as soon as possible.