Original Blog Entry: Bank robber caught counting the loot

truesee — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:44:13 GMT

Police: Greensburg bank robbery suspect admits holdup five years ago

Bob Stiles

TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Thursday, July 30, 2009

A South Huntingdon man who confessed to robbing a Greensburg bank Tuesday also said he held up a bank in Hempfield about five years ago and considered a third holdup but didn't go through with it, according to Greensburg police.

City police Chief Walter Wally Lyons said Wednesday that David Morgan, 35, of 177 Highway St., Yukon, made the admissions during questioning.

In his statements, he admitted to an attempted holdup at a bank in North Huntington Township and a 2004 bank robbery in Hempfield Township, Lyons said.

The chief said his department has contacted authorities in those areas. Charges are possible.

Morgan is facing charges of robbery, theft and receiving stolen property in a holdup at the First Commonwealth Bank branch behind the Shop 'n Save store on East Pittsburgh Street about 9:40 a.m. Tuesday. He did not show a weapon and fled with $660, police said.

Authorities described Morgan as having long black hair and wearing a University of Michigan baseball cap, a black T-shirt over a white long-sleeved shirt, jeans and tennis shoes.

He handed the teller a note, police said.

Please just give me the money from your cash drawer, all of it, and I will go peacefully, the note read, according to court papers. Please don't sound alarm, or else. Thank you, and have a nice day. No dye packs, either.

A smiley face was drawn on the note, police said.

Apparently, he was trying to be polite, I guess, Lyons said.

Authorities took Morgan into custody Tuesday afternoon as he was counting money while walking on East Pittsburgh Street.

Lyons said a neighbor contacted authorities after overhearing an argument between Morgan and his mother, who lives in Greensburg, over a wig, a hat and sunglasses. Police believe Morgan was wearing a wig during the Greensburg robbery, but had taken it off before he was apprehended.

I think she just thought something was awry, something wasn't right that he had a wig, hat and sunglasses, Lyons said of the argument.

Among the items found in Morgan's backpack were money, a University of Michigan baseball cap, sunglasses, a black T-shirt, black pants and a white, long-sleeved T-shirt. Morgan told police the bank robbery note was inside a pants pocket, according to court papers.

Morgan told police that he didn't go through with the planned robbery at the North Huntingdon bank after a bank employee approached and offered to help him before he could reach the counter, Lyons said.

Lyons said authorities believe the Hempfield holdup involves a bank along Route 136.

LINK TO PHOTO:

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/westmoreland/s_635975.html

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