The suspect that robbed First Niagara Bank in Jamestown early last week is still on the loose, according to police.
This comes after Erie police began sharing information with local police agencies regarding two banks that were robbed in the Millcreek area.
According to the Erie Times-News, Erie police received an anonymous call on Sunday afternoon asking for a welfare check on a man that was staying at a hotel in downtown Erie. The call resulted in an investigation that discovered that the man in the hotel had died, and led police to his acquaintances, Anthony J. Hermann, 34, and Erin M. Anderson, 27, who were connected to the Millcreek robberies.
"It appears that these bank robberies were motivated by the need for cash to purchase heroin," said Randy Bowers, Erie deputy police chief.
When asked if he believed there was any connection between the Pennsylvania robberies and the Jamestown robbery, Captain Robert Samuelson of the Jamestown Police said that he did not believe that that was the case.
"When we were first contacted by the Erie police, we compared the pictures that they had of all of the subjects, including the deceased, and we don't believe there is any match," said Samuelson. "Right now we're working in connection with the FBI as well as Ohio police to determine if the robberies that occurred in Conneaut, Ohio, are connected to ours in any way. At this time we have received some tips regarding the case, but we're still searching for a suspect."
Anyone with information regarding the bank robberies that occurred on Monday, Oct. 5 can contact the Jamestown Police Department's anonymous tip line at 483-8477. All calls and tips will remain strictly confidential.