Bank robbery suspect is captured

The suspect was nabbed at another bank in Michigan.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Federal authorities say they've caught the man who used a fake bomb to rob the First National Bank of Pennsylvania branch at 2505 E. State St. of nearly $200,000.
David Earl Hill, 48, of Oakhill Road, Cleveland, Ohio, was indicted on two counts of bank robbery and use of a dangerous weapon by a federal grand jury in Erie on Tuesday.
Authorities said he used the same fake bomb hoax when he robbed a bank in Erie on Feb. 25, 2003, and was trying the same scheme again when he was nabbed trying to rob a bank in Eaton County, Mich., on Feb. 12 of this year.
Hill remains in custody in Michigan in that case, but Christian A. Trabold, Assistant United States Attorney in Erie, said that didn't prevent federal authorities in Pennsylvania from indicting him on the Hermitage and Erie bank jobs.
Hermitage case
In the Hermitage case, a man, whom authorities say was Hill, wearing a dark wig and a dark, rumpled suit, walked into the First National office and asked for the branch manager by name.
Police said Hill was shown to the manager's office, where he produced a package he said was a bomb, and a portable radio that he said was also a remote-controlled detonating device.
He ordered the manager to take him into the vault, where he helped himself to $193,000 in cash, according to the indictment.
He left the building, leaving the purported bomb on a chair in the manager's office, warning that it would explode in 30 minutes if police were called.
Rather than call police immediately, the bank manager called another First National branch, which then called 911, police said.
Wait for bomb squad
Police had to wait two hours for the Allegheny Bomb Squad to get there from the Pittsburgh International Airport to examine the package. It turned out to be a videocassette tape in a brown box.
Trabold said Hill is accused of using the same scheme to take $30,200 from a teller at the Northwest Savings Bank at 121 W. 26th St., in Erie on Feb. 25, 2003.
Trabold said Hill faces up to 90 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million if convicted on all counts.
gwin@vindy.com