Pocono News Section

Suspected Bank Robber Arrested After 2nd Heist in 4 Days

Suspected Bank Robber Arrested After 2nd Heist in 4 Days - Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 7:44PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Saturday, Jul 26, 2008 @ 07:44pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- A bank robber claiming to have a bomb strikes again. Eyewitness News was the only station there as events were unfolding. And it turns out the suspect was also wanted by police in another recent bank robbery.

Police caught 39-year-old Leon Stanford of Wilkes-Barre hiding at the Vision homeless shelter less than three hours after they say he robbed the Citizens Bank on Market Street.

Wilkes-Barre Police Seargent Joe Novak told Eyewitness News, “We did make contact with the residents there and they confirmed he was in the building on the third floor."

Earlier detectives say Stanford walked into the bank disguised and told a teller he had a bomb. Stanford then took off toward a taxi. Authorities say the driver had no idea what Stanford was up to.

"They summoned the taxi to transport him, they asked to go to the bank, while the two waiting in the backseat, suspect entered bank, committed the robbery and returned to the taxi," said Novak.

That’s when things went wrong for the trio. "As the taxi pulled away the dye pack detonated and filled the vehicle with fumes and everyone fled," added Novak.

Police say Stanford went in one direction, while two others ran to the coal street park. Cops rushed a field with their K-9 unit in tow. They combed the woods before detaining the two other witnesses.

Not far from there the Heights Packers were playing football. Parent Robert Karasek said, "You don't know if they have guns or knives, if running or stealing money an 8 or 7-year-old kid is easy to grab and take hostage.”

Packers Vice President Chuck Eckrich said, “That’s why we checked with them right away and they told us we were fine here, not to move them.”

Back at the bank police interviewed witnesses as customers realized the bank was closed. Family members waited patiently for word their loved ones were ok.

And it's a scene police say Leon Stanford is all too familiar with. He is suspected of robbing the Choice One Federal Credit Union in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday afternoon during John McCain’s visit.

Police say it’s unclear how much money Stanford got away with. They also tell Eyewitness News it’s too early to tell if the two others in the cab with Stanford will face any charges.