Uniontown couple faces charges for bank robbery
Amanda Steen | Herald-Standard
Uniontown police Officer Delbert DeWitt escorts Alice Bechtol, 33, of McClellandtown into the Fayette County Prison in Uniontown on Tuesday. Bechtol is accused of robbing the PNC Bank in Uniontown on Aug. 22.
Amanda Steen | Herald-Standard
Uniontown police Officer Lt. Thomas Kolencik escorts Kendell Johnson, 32 of McClellandtown from Magistrate Michael M. Metros office in Uniontown on Tuesday, following a preliminary hearing on robbery charges.
Two people who allegedly robbed a PNC Bank in Uniontown waived charges on Tuesday to Fayette County Court.
Alice Bechtol, 33, and Kendell Johnson, 32, both of Uniontown, were charged with allegedly robbing the PNC Bank on Aug. 22. After a manhunt involving helicopters and state police, the pair turned themselves in to Uniontown police that same day.
Police allege that when Johnson and Bechtol confessed, they admitted that they were heavily addicted to heroin, so they joked about committing a robbery for drugs. The complaint said Bechtol and Johnson told police they woke up “dope sick” without any money to feed their habit, so they allegedly decided to “rob something.”
Police allege that the pair was downtown when they spotted PNC Bank around 9 a.m. on Morgantown Street.
During their confession, Bechtol reportedly told police that she never threatened anyone but just advised the teller to put the money in the bag, police allege.
Police said that Bechtol allegedly said, as the teller getting the cash, “Hurry up. Hurry up. Don’t press anything.” Police said Johnson was heard saying to Bechtol, “Wait, she is getting more” money.
The complaint said during the robbery, Bechtol allegedly took a customer’s pocket book. Aside from the cash, there was $25 and various cards within the customer’s pocket book, the complaint said.
Police allege that the pair stole more than $2,400 in large bills from the bank.
Police said after allegedly collecting the cash, Bechtol and Johnson fled the bank on foot.
The complaint said Bechtol and Johnson were picked up a by vehicle and made multiple stops before walking to the Karlyn Motel on Morgantown Road in Uniontown.
State police said they received a call around 4:27 p.m. from Bechtol and her fiancé, Johnson, while they were staying at the motel.
According to court documents, Bechtol was charged with robbery from a financial institution, conspiracy to commit robbery from a financial institution, robbery by force, conspiracy to commit robbery by force, theft, conspiracy to commit theft, two counts of receiving stolen property, two counts of conspiracy to receive stolen property, two counts of simple assault and two counts of conspiracy to commit simple assault.
Johnson was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit theft, two counts of simple assault, conspiracy to commit robbery/inflict serious bodily injury and conspiracy to commit robbery/inflict threat with immediate bodily injury, according to court documents.
The pair waived their rights to a preliminary hearing on Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge Michael Metros, and remain in Fayette County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bond each.