FBI investigating three bank burglaries in local counties
The FBI is now investigating after burglaries at three federal credit unions in Allegheny and Beaver Counties on the same night.
Our sources tell Channel 11, around 12:01 a.m. Saturday, a suspect or multiple suspects cut the power at the outside meter of the Tri Valley Federal Credit Union in Scott Township. The suspects then removed the meter from the outside panel and two of the four contact points were cut, cutting power to the building.
The criminals were then able to pry open the door without triggering the burglar alarm or fire alarm. Since the surveillance cameras were cut, the burglars were also not seen on video. Around the same time Friday night, two other federal credit unions in Beaver County were also burglarized. At least one of those had money taken.
Dr. John Cencich is a criminologist at PennWest California. He said these aren’t your average criminals.
“They are aboveaverage intelligence — they’re organized and they’re not impulsive,” Cencich tells Channel 11. “When we look at the fact that they cut the power at the meters, this could be high voltage, 220 volts, they cut the right wires and didn’t get hurt or killed.”
Cencich adds these suspects are likely no stranger to Pittsburgh and in a matter of time, he’s confident they’ll be caught.
“From a geographical crime analysis perspective, they need to feel very comfortable with the area, how to approach it, when the police are coming,” Cencich says. “If they have to flee, they have to know side streets, alleyways.”
So far there is no description of a suspect or suspects, and it’s not clear if any other federal credit unions or banks were targeted.
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