Connellsville bank robbery suspect arrested
Social media and a clear surveillance image helped Connellsville police identify an alleged bank robber within hours.
William Anthony McLaughlin, 55, of Breakneck Road, Connellsville, allegedly robbed Somerset Trust Co. bank on West Crawford Avenue with a handgun at about 3:15 p.m. and fled on foot with $2,000. He has prior felony convictions and was released from prison about two years ago.
Witnesses told police he walked into the bank and demanded money from the teller. An employee told police he 鈥渂ecame irritated, began counting down, saying if he did not get the money he would shoot them,鈥� then removed a handgun from his jacket, police wrote in the affidavit of probable cause filed in his case.
Connellsville and state police searched the area with a description of the robber but were unable to locate him. They received several tips identifying the suspect after posting the surveillance photo on Facebook.
McLaughlin was found at a South Connellsville residence with a large amount of powder cocaine, 10 stamp bags of heroin and a large sum of money, police said.
He allegedly admitted to the robbery and said he used the stolen cash to buy drugs, according to court documents.
He is charged with aggravated assault, robbery of a financial institution, theft, receiving stolen property, terroristic threats, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was arraigned Tuesday night before on-call Magisterial District Judge Wendy Dennis and lodged in Fayette County Prison in lieu of a $100,000 bond.
McLaughlin was charged in 2007 with attempted homicide, rape and aggravated assault for an attack on his ex-girlfriend that left her with multiple broken bones. Investigators said he beat her with an ax handle and asked her how she wanted to die. He pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault and was sentenced to 5 to 10 years. He served about seven years in prison.
He also has felony convictions in four other states, which included robbery, burglary and firearms violations.