Aliquippa Man Sentenced for Armed Robbery of Two Area Banks

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Aliquippa, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to more than 15 years (190 months) in prison, five years’ supervised release, and to pay restitution to two victim banks, as a result of his bank robbery convictions, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Tyler Bridges, age 34.

According to information presented to the court, on February 12, 2016, Bridges used a firearm to rob the WesBanco Bank in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, of more than $1,500. Four days later, on February 16, 2016, Bridges and Herbert Pope used firearms to rob the Sewickley Savings Bank in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, of more than $3,500. During both robberies, Bridges had climbed over the teller counter while brandishing a handgun, before taking money from the drawers. Bridges was arrested after law enforcement found evidence of the robberies—including guns, money, and items of clothing—inside Bridges’ residence.

Assistant United States Attorneys Jeffrey Bengel and Shaun Sweeney are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Sewickley Police Department, the Allegheny County Police Department, and the Ambridge Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Bridges.