web1_SOUTHMAIN002.jpg

Kingston Twp. bridge work done, but Route 309 intersection to stay closed

web1_Dallas-logo.jpg

Residents can get info, offer input on proposed Dallas school

<p>HONESDALE &#8212; A Dunmore man may be responsible for up to 14 bank robberies that netted more than $200,000 over the last two years, including one in West Pittston in January, authorities say.</p><p>William Fischer, 45, is charged with only robbery so far, though &#8212; at the People&#8217;s Security Bank &amp; Trust in Gouldsboro, Wayne County, on Wednesday.</p><p>&#8220;This is an armed and dangerous felon that is no longer on the street,&#8221; said Special Agent Sean Quinn, of the FBI&#8217;s Scranton office. &#8220;He&#8217;s no longer going to rob any banks. That we&#8217;re sure of.&#8221;</p><p>Since December 2015, law enforcement across northeastern Pennsylvania has been investigating a rash of armed bank robberies that all appear to be committed by the same person.</p><p>Police have noted the similarities in each case: the suspect&#8217;s physical build, his bulky clothes and face coverings, and similar demands for cash from tellers.</p><p>In the Wayne County case, the robber got away with more than $16,000.</p><p>Police recovered a bag of cash Thursday morning about 20 yards off the road, along the path they believe Fischer took from the bank to where they pulled him over 9 miles away.</p><p>Fischer told officers he had loaded guns in the trunk of his car, and that he was heading to a shooting range.</p><p>The car had been rented that morning.</p><p>Officers found a cordless drill in the car and an additional license plate. Police say evidence suggests Fischer removed the plates and switched them to conceal the car&#8217;s identity.</p><p>A search of Fischer&#8217;s car-rental history shows he rented a car similar to the getaway vehicle used in an August bank robbery that same day.</p><p>The day of that robbery in August, Fischer was seen putting cash into a slot machine at Mohegan Sun Pocono casino in Plains Township, Then, without playing, he claimed $2,000 in vouchers.</p><p>&#8220;This is exceedingly circumstantial, but if you had a large sum of money that you were trying to launder and explain how you received it legitimately that could be a tactic to use,&#8221; said State Police Capt. Chris Paris.</p><p>Investigators also learned Fischer had deposited around $140,000 cash into his bank account in the past two years, despite telling officers he&#8217;s been out of work.</p><p>Investigators searched Fischer&#8217;s house and say they found a box of black ski masks.</p><p>He is being held in the Wayne County Prison for lack of $500,000 bail.</p><p>He&#8217;s expected back in court Oct. 27.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_BLOTTER-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption"></div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_BLOTTER-2.jpg</photo0><caption0></caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Fox 56 News</p></bylineMeta></div>

Dunmore man is suspect in string of bank heists