Two Charged following Armed Robbery of Citizens Bank in Crafton

PITTSBURGH, PA – Two residents of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges stemming from an armed bank robbery, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The three-count Indictment, returned on Nov. 27 and unsealed today, named Brent Richards, 32, as the defendant at Counts One and Two, and Melissa Kane, 47, as the defendant at Count Three.

According to the Indictment, on or about January 8, 2018, Richards robbed the Citizens Bank at 31 Foster Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15205, of $10,003. Richards is alleged to have brandished a firearm in the commission of the robbery. The Indictment names Kane as an accessory after the fact for helping to protect Richards from apprehension.

For Richards, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 25 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both, for the armed bank robbery count. Additionally, the law provides for a minimum sentence of not less than five years in prison and up to life, a fine of $250,000, or both, for the firearms offense. For Kane, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 12.5 years in prison, a fine of $125,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca L. Silinski and Timothy M. Lanni are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Crafton Borough Police Department, the Allegheny County Sherriff’s Office, and the West Mifflin Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.