Pittsburgh Man Admits Robbing the Dollar General and PNC Bank in Wilkinsburg

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of bank robbery and Hobbs Act robbery, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Lamont Gates, age 64, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Court Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on October 5, 2017, armed with a knife, Gates robbed the Dollar General store located on Penn Ave. in Wilkinsburg. Gates took approximately $310 before fleeing the store. One week later, on October 12, 2017, Gates entered the PNC Bank, also on Penn Avenue, and advised the teller that it was a stick-up. He demanded $20 bills. Gates reached through the metal bars on the teller counter in an attempt to grab either the teller or money. He then threatened to blow the teller’s head off and reached for an object with a black handle in his back pocket. The teller gave Gates approximately $2,060, including bait money.

A few minutes later, Gates was observed in the parking lot of the beer distributor one block away from the PNC Bank. After a brief chase, officers arrested Gates. Officers recovered $1,940.00 (in $20 bills) from Gates. It appears that he had already purchased a few items from the beer distributor. No weapons were recovered. Gates confessed to the Dollar General robbery.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for December 10, 2018. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Judge Schwab ordered that Gates remain detained pending sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Wilkinsburg Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.