HARRISBURG MAN INDICTED FOR ALLEGEDLY ROBBING 16 LOCAL BUSINESSES AND BANKS

Martin C. Carlson, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania; Janice K. Fedarcyk, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Philadelphia Division; and Michael R. Regan, United States Marshal for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced today that a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has returned an 19-count indictment against Matthew Fletcher, age 40, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania charging him with seven counts of bank robbery; nine counts of robbery under the Hobbs Act; use of a firearm during a crime of violence; felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm.

The indictment alleges that between October 2007 through April 2008, Fletcher robbed 16 businesses and banks in the Central Pennsylvania area stealing more than $96,000. They include:

-Christian Light Bookstore, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania;
-Aloha Tanning Salon, Hershey, Pennsylvania;
-Mid Penn Bank, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania;
-Mid Penn Bank, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania;
-Paxtang Diner, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania;
-Raylon Beauty Supply, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania;
-Subway Restaurant, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania;
-Fulton Bank, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania;
-M&T Bank, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania;
-Fulton Bank, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania;
-PNC Bank, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania;
-Orrstown Bank, Duncannon, Pennsylvania;
-Domino’s Pizza, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania;
-Safe T Tan, York, Pennsylvania;
-Ladies and Gentleman Hair Salon, York, Pennsylvania; and
-Pizza Hut, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

The indictment further alleges that Fletcher committed each robbery using a .357 magnum handgun that had been reported stolen.

If convicted, Fletcher faces up to 25 years imprisonment for each bank robbery; up to 20 years’ imprisonment for each Hobbs Act robbery; up to life imprisonment for the use of a firearm during a crime of violence; up to 10 years’ imprisonment for being a felon in possession of a firearm and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for possessing a stolen firearm. In addition, Fletcher also faces fines of up to $250,000 for each count.

The Grand Jury’s indictment of Fletcher follows a coordinated investigative effort by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; United States Marshals Service; Pennsylvania State Police; Camp Hill Police Department; Carlisle Borough Police Department; Derry Township Police Department; Hampden Township Police Department; Hummelstown Borough Police Department; Lower Paxtang Police Department; New Cumberland Police Department; and Susquehanna Township Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom is prosecuting the case.

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An Indictment or Information is not evidence of guilt but simply a description of the charge made by the Grand Jury and/or United States Attorney against a defendant. A charged Defendant is presumed innocent until a jury returns a unanimous finding that the United States has proven the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt or until the defendant has pled guilty to the charges.