Former Resident of Freedom, PA Pleads Guilty to Committing Four Bank Robberies

PITTSBURGH, PA -A former resident of Freedom, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of bank robbery, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Patrick Acierno, 34, pleaded guilty to four counts before Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on March 5, 2019, Acierno entered KeyBank, located at 9605 Harmony Drive, Ingomar, PA 15127, dressed in a black hooded sweatshirt, black mask, sunglasses, and blue latex gloves, proceeded toward the teller stations where two tellers were working and took $7,743, including eight $20.00 bait bills. Acierno fled on foot and was observed by one of the tellers getting into a blue Toyota Rav 4. Franklin Park Police later identified the Toyota Rav4, and apprehended the defendant after a brief vehicle chase. Inside the vehicle, law enforcement officials found the items Acierno wore during the robbery, and $7,743 in U.S. currency, including the bait bills from the Key Bank.

The court was further informed Acierno robbed three additional banks prior to the Key Bank robbery, as listed below:

• On September 12, 2018, Acierno entered the PNC Bank at 20940 Route 19, Cranberry, PA, and robbed it of $2,474. Acierno wore a black hoodie with the hood up, baseball hat, white bandana or T-shirt covering his face, black gloves, dark sunglasses, blue jeans and carrying a navy blue Adidas duffle bag.

• On November 12, 2018, Acierno entered the West View Savings Bank, 2566 Brandt School Road, Wexford, PA, and robbed it of $4,406.00. Acierno wore a camouflage jump suit, tan bandana mask, gloves, boots and a burnt orange/brown knit cap and dark sunglasses.

• On December 5, 2018, Acierno entered the WesBanco Bank, 3531 Broadhead Road, Monaca, PA, and robbed it of $11,800. Acierno wore a black ski mask with sunglasses, black hoodie with the hood pulled up, black jacket, black denim jeans, dark gloves and black shoes.

Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for October 17, 2019 at 11 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. The defendant will remain imprisoned pending sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cranberry Police Department, the Franklin Park Police Department, the Center Township Police Department, and the McCandless Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Acierno.