Alleged Bank Robber in Court Today
A preliminary hearing will be held this morning for a Marion Center man accused of robbing a Manor Township bank in February.
Matthew James Crossman, 28, of Marion Center, was arrested April 7 through assistance by Pennsylvania State Police troopers in Indiana County and the Armstrong County Sheriff’s Department without incident and taken into custody.
Manor Township Police Officer Josh Stanga led the investigation and said he spent many long hours piecing the puzzle together, but said that tips based on multiple law-enforcement dealings with Crossman “made him an easy target.”
“The multiple dealings that he had prior to the bank robbery with description of the same clothing helped identify him and make him the prime suspect,” Officer Stanga said earlier this month.
“He was identified from the very beginning, so we kept a close eye on him. We knew where he was at at all times throughout the investigation until I could gather enough evidence and put a strong case together against him.”
Crossman – accused of stealing $1,350 from the Route 422 East branch along Burton Road on February 18 – was arraigned before District Magisterial Judge Gary DeComo about 5PM. Crossman is incarcerated in the Armstrong County Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash bond or asset.
According to online court records, Crossman is charged with nearly a dozen crimes stemming from the robbery – including six felonies (such as three different robbery counts, criminal mischief and flight to avoid apprehension). Among the misdemeanor offences, he is accused of receiving stolen property, making terroristic threats and recklessly endangering another person, as well as summary harassment.
Officer Stanga thanked multiple law enforcement agencies for their cooperation during the investigation – including Pennsylvania State Police troopers in Indiana County. Officer Stanga said those state troopers helped “tremendously throughout the investigation.”
He also received assistance from the Attorney General’s office and the Armstrong County Sheriff’s Department – particularly Sheriff Bill Rupert and Captain Frank Pitzer.
Sheriff Rupert praised Officer Stanga and other Manor Township Police officers for their determination and hard work.
“Information sharing is the only way we can fight this war on crime,” Sheriff Rupert said. “It’s no longer the State Police going one way and the municipal police going another and the Sheriff’s Office going yet another direction – we now work together as one to fight the criminal element.”
In other news involved with the burglary, Officer Stanga said charges have been filed against Kittanning resident Erin Dawn Darney - who allegely drove Crossman from the scene of the crime.
No information regarding Darney’s charges were available last night.
Crossman’s hearing is scheduled for 9AM before District Magisterial Judge Gary DeComo.
Local News | KP NewsDesk April 28, 2015
