Masontown man arrested in bank robbery
A Masontown man accused of stealing more than $3,000 from a Point Marion bank was arrested early Tuesday morning.
State police troopers arrested Stephen Gaza, 46, at a home in Ronco, Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele said in a Facebook post.
The arrest came after an extensive investigation that had already led them to a vehicle and clothes matching those described by witnesses and seen in surveillance footage from the Monday morning robbery.
Police responded around 11:25 a.m. to the United Bank branch in Point Marion, where Gaza gave a teller a note saying, “Give Me Money No One Get Hurt,” according to the criminal complaint. The bank teller told police Gaza had made a hand gesture indicating he had a firearm before placing his hand back in his pocket.
Gaza left the bank with $3,370, then drove north in a tan, older-model Ford Escape without a registration plate, according to the criminal complaint.
A trooper canvassing the area found a vehicle matching that description registered to Gaza in front of a house at 432 Stevenson St. in German Township, the complaint said.
Driver’s license and booking photos of Gaza had facial characteristics lining up with the robber in the footage, who was wearing a gas mask, the affidavit of probable cause said.
Charging documents listed numerous items found inside the car: work gloves, debit and insurance cards belonging to Gaza, and a bag full of clothes matching what was seen on camera — a tan, long-sleeved shirt, blue jeans, and black and grey work gloves.
Before obtaining the search warrant, troopers had also noticed the screws on the back license plate holder were partially unscrewed, signaling they had recently been removed and reattached, the complaint said.
Gaza is charged with robbery, theft by unlawful taking and terroristic threats.
Judge Daniel Shimshock denied Gaza bail for posing a threat to public safety. He was lodged in the Fayette County jail.
Gaza’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 28.