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Meadville man admits robberies to FBI

Meadville man admits robberies to FBI

A Meadville man admitted to the FBI that he robbed or tried to rob four Western Pennsylvania banks last year, in at least one case using a plastic toy gun.

Jeffrey Kent Witscher, 45, was indicted last week in U.S. District Court on charges of robbing banks in Grove City, Franklin, Waterford and Erie in November and December.

According to an FBI affidavit, Mr. Witscher was caught after trying to rob the First United National Bank in Franklin on Dec. 30. After he presented a demand note written in his own checkbook registry, the FBI said, the teller refused to give him any money and he fled. But a bank employee gave chase and Franklin police caught him.

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According to the affidavit, Mr. Witscher admitted trying to rob Farmer's National Bank in Grove City on Nov. 20 but was unsuccessful. After receiving the demand note, the teller said, "Are you serious?" and Mr. Witscher said, "Can't you read?" When the teller answered, "No," he said Mr. Witscher left the bank without any money.

The FBI said Mr. Witscher also admitted robbing a PNC branch in Erie on Nov. 25 and a PNC branch in Waterford on Dec. 8. He got a few thousand dollars in each of those robberies.

Mr. Witscher said he had been using a plastic gun but that he threw it out the window after the Erie robbery.

First Published: February 15, 2010, 5:00 a.m.

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