Man who Attempted to Rob a South Side Bank in a Wheelchair is Indicted

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of attempted bank robbery, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The one-count Indictment, returned on October 8, named Emanuel Luna, 54, as the sole defendant. According to the Indictment and criminal complaint, Luna, while in wheelchair, attempted to rob the First National Bank, located at 1114 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA, on August 13, 2019. Upon entering the bank, Luna approached the teller counter and handed the teller a note that stated he had a bomb and "will press the button and kill us all for no less than $50,000." Luna left the bank prior to receiving money from the teller. Surveillance video following the attempted robbery shows Luna using a cane to walk.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Luna has been detained pending the resolution of the case.

Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca L. Silinski and Haley Warden-Rodgers are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the O’Hara Township Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.