OLD LYCOMING TOWNSHIP -- Police in central Pennsylvania are asking bank employees and customers to be on alert. Officers are looking for a man they believe may be linked to two armed robberies and to "what appeared to be" an attempted bank robbery this week.
Old Lycoming Township Police say it took less than a minute for a man to rob Susquehanna Bank on Lycoming Creek Road near Williamsport Wednesday.
"Right in through the doors brandished his weapon, demanded the cash. Got the money and then left," said Chief William Solomon.
Now Chief William Solomon says his department is looking for a suspect.
"We believe he is close to being six foot tall, a bigger male. We know that he is white,”said Chief Solomon.
While Old Lycoming Township Police were investigating that robbery, Montoursville Police were at M & T Bank on Broad Street where they say a teller's quick call to police may have prevented another robbery from happening.
"He got nervous so I think she did help the situation and the person to leave. Cause I think he got nervous and decided not to do what he was going to do," said Chief Jeffrey Gyurina.
Montoursville Police Chief Jeffrey Gyurina shared a picture taken from M&T’s video surveillance during the possible attempted robbery yesterday.
His department is also investigating an armed robbery that happened at First National Bank less than a week ago. Police believe surveillance pictures from all three banks are of the same man.
"He has a black bag usually has his face covered demands the money,” said Chief Gyurina.
"I think that somebody must be very desperate,” said Melony Hartranft.
Melony Hartranft uses M&T Bank. She saw police investigating the armed robbery at First National Bank last week.
"If somebody is desperate enough they would try it again. They got away with it once they would try it again,” said Hartranft.
Both Old Lycoming Township Police and Montoursville Police shared pictures online. They want bank employees and customers to keep an eye out.
"He has to get lucky every time and we only have to get lucky once and I'm thinking his luck is about to run out," said Chief Gyurina.
We spoke with other bank officials in central Pennsylvania who say they are on high alert and have been speaking with police in case this man does attempt to rob another bank.