Police arrest man sought in Citizens Bank robberies

Pennsylvania State Police arrested a man who was sought in the robberies of two banks inside grocery stores in Bethel Park and Shaler Township.

Jason Betz, 40, was arrested on two counts of robbery, simple assault and terroristic threats Saturday just two days after police said he robbed two Citizens Banks inside Giant Eagle stores.

Police said Betz robbed two Citizens Banks, one on Library Road in Bethel Park and the other on Butler Plank Road in Shaler Township.

Bethel Park police said Thursday that Betz has an extensive criminal history involving bank robbery and was wanted for a parole violation.

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Police said they located Betz’s white Dodge mini-van around 11 a.m. Friday in the 4000 block of Willow Street in Lawrenceville, and detectives determined Betz fled on foot.

Detectives believed he was hiding in the Highland Park and Morningside areas of Pittsburgh, burglarizing residences looking for places to hide, police said.

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Saturday morning, Betz was observed on surveillance footage buying a bus ticket to Philadelphia under the name "Mr. Betz," police said. Betz was just over two hours outside of Pittsburgh on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

State Police intercepted the bus several miles from Carlisle, and took Betz into custody without incident.

Betz has been lodged in the Cumberland County Jail pending extradition to Allegheny County.

Cox Media Group