Pittsburgh Man Charged in Two Local Robberies

PITTSBURGH - One resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on charges of bank robbery and Hobbs Act robbery, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The two-count indictment, returned on Nov. 30, named Lamont Gates, 64, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on or about October 5, 2017, Gates robbed the Dollar General store located at 700 Penn Avenue, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221. The indictment further alleges that on or about October 12, 2017, Gates robbed PNC Bank, located at 701 Penn Avenue, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221. PNC Bank is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence at each count of up to 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.

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.

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