LAWRENCE COUNTY Boardman man charged in robberies

The man told police he used the money to pay his bills.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Police say a Boardman man admitted he robbed two Lawrence County banks.
Larry Joe McCoy, 44, of Shadyside Drive, was arraigned Tuesday after a chase by Neshannock and Pennsylvania State Police after a robbery at First Commonwealth Bank in the Wal-Mart Plaza on U.S. Route 224.
He is charged with two counts each of robbery, theft and receiving stolen property.
Police said McCoy entered First Commonwealth about 10 a.m. Tuesday and handed the teller a note demanding money. The note specified that no one would be hurt if bank employees didn't activate any alarms or put any dye packets in the money, says an affidavit filed to support the charges.
He took $2,467 and eventually was arrested by Neshannock Township police after heading north on U.S. Route 422, the affidavit said.
Pennsylvania State Police said McCoy, during police questioning, admitted he also robbed the First Commonwealth Bank in Bessemer on Dec. 12. Court papers said he handed the clerk a note similar to the one used at the Union Township bank and he took $4,235.
When questioned Tuesday, McCoy told police he used the money from the first bank robbery to pay his bills, court papers said.
McCoy is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 9:30 a.m. next Wednesday in Lawrence County Central Court. He is in the Lawrence County Jail after failing to post $100,000 bond.