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A Westwood-area man who police said wore a stolen Halloween mask to hold up a bank in Lower Yoder Township was charged Friday in the robbery.
West Hills Regional police charged Dion Blair Wilt, 39, of Healy Lane, with robbing the AmeriServ Financial branch at 110 Plaza Drive in Westwood on Sept. 6 with a handgun.
He also was charged with making terroristic threats, receiving stolen property and reckless endangerment.
Police said that Wilt wore a mask with a face painted on it that they said he allegedly stole from a nearby Dollar General store.
They say he wrapped the mask around the lower portion of his face when he robbed the bank of $4,297.
Wilt was identified through surveillance photos.
Police said he fled the bank on foot. As he ran, he dropped $180 in $10 bills, which a resident found blowing around near the rear of the Westmont Gardens restaurant, police said.
Wilt then drove away in his car. Police said they have not recovered the remainder of the cash, the handgun or mask.
Wilt denied robbing the bank.
“I’m not a bank robber,” he said, according to a court document.
People who know Wilt called police after seeing his photograph in the newspaper, police said.
Wilt was arraigned by District Judge John Barron of Upper Yoder Township and sent to Cambria County Prison in lieu of $350,000 percentage bond.
Wilt told police he was self-employed as a window tinter.
Wilt admitted to having financial problems, which authorities think may have been the motive for the bank robbery, police Sgt. George Musulin III said.
Wilt said he formerly was part owner of the Blue Jay, a convenience store and gas station in East Taylor Township, but he sold the business for financial reasons.
Musulin said Wilt is a suspect in two other robberies.
“The subject is still the prime suspect in the Gallo’s armed robbery,” the sergeant said.
A gunman robbed Gallo’s News Stand in the Westwood Plaza on Aug. 28.
Also, a masked gunman robbed the First National Bank branch at 110 S. Main St. in Davidsville on Sept. 10.
“There are similarities” among the three robberies, Musulin said. “His physical demeanor. Using a mask and handgun.”
Conemaugh Township police are investigating the Davidsville bank robbery. A police spokesman was not available Friday.
Police bought a mask for $3.18 that is similar to the one Wilt allegedly stole from the Dollar General store.
Wilt also could face federal bank robbery charges, Musulin said.
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