PITTSBURGH
Patrick Acierno, 34, who plead guilty this week to four counts of bank robbery, is facing up to 20 years in prison, according to authorities.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on March 5, 2019, Acierno entered KeyBank, located at 9605 Harmony Drive, Ingomar, PA 15127, dressed in a black hooded sweatshirt, black mask, sunglasses, and blue latex gloves, proceeded toward the teller stations where two tellers were working and took $7,743, including eight $20.00 bait bills.
Acierno fled on foot and was observed by one of the tellers getting into a blue Toyota Rav 4. Franklin Park Police later identified the Toyota Rav4, and apprehended the defendant after a brief vehicle chase.
Inside the vehicle, law enforcement officials found the items Acierno wore during the robbery, and $7,743 in U.S. currency, including the bait bills from the Key Bank.
The court was further informed Acierno robbed three additional banks prior to the Key Bank robbery, as listed below:
• On September 12, 2018, Acierno entered the PNC Bank at 20940 Route 19, Cranberry, PA, and robbed it of $2,474. Acierno wore a black hoodie with the hood up, baseball hat, a white bandana or T-shirt covering his face, black gloves, dark sunglasses, blue jeans and carrying a navy blue Adidas duffle bag.
• On November 12, 2018, Acierno entered the West View Savings Bank, 2566 Brandt School Road, Wexford, PA, and robbed it of $4,406.00. Acierno wore a camouflage jumpsuit, tan bandana mask, gloves, boots and a burnt orange/brown knit cap and dark sunglasses.
• On December 5, 2018, Acierno entered the WesBanco Bank, 3531 Broadhead Road, Monaca, PA, and robbed it of $11,800. Acierno wore a black ski mask with sunglasses, black hoodie with the hood pulled up, black jacket, black denim jeans, dark gloves and black shoes.
Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for Oct. 17.
DOJ NOTED:
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cranberry Police Department, the Franklin Park Police Department, the Center Township Police Department, and the McCandless Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Acierno.