Fayette man convicted of holding up bank
A 34-year-old Fairchance man was convicted in Fayette County Court on Wednesday of robbery, theft and receiving stolen property for holding up the National City Bank in Fairchance last October. State police charged that John Bernard Smith, who wasn’t wearing a mask, went into the bank and held a gun on bank teller Rena Dickinson.
He demanded money during the 9:20 a.m. robbery on Oct. 12, 2005, and after Dickinson gave him some money, state police allege he demanded more.
In all, Dickinson gave Smith more than $1,980, police said.
Although reports of a black man running across Route 43 in Georges Township came in to police about one hour after the robbery, police were not able to locate Smith until later in the day.
Uniontown police learned he was staying at the Fairfield Inn. When Smith was arrested, police said he had $980 on him.
Judge Gerald R. Solomon will sentence Smith at a later date.