Repeat offender convicted for Lansdowne bank robbery
MEDIA COURTHOUSE >> A repeat offender bank robber was found guilty Thursday of robbing the Wells Fargo Bank in Lansdowne on Nov. 10, 2016.
Victor Lesean Simmons, 48, who is currently serving a 14-30 year sentence for similar robberies in Montgomery County, was convicted on the single charge of robbery, a felony of the first degree, following a jury trial before Common Pleas Court Judge Anthony Scanlon.
Simmons, of the 100 block of East Cheltenham Avenue in Philadelphia, was arrested shortly after the robbery took place by East Lansdowne Police Department Officer John Meehan.
According to a release from Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun M. Copeland, Lansdowne police responded to the Wells Fargo Bank at 65 W. Baltimore Ave. for a report of a holdup alarm activation.
A teller at the bank told Lansdowne Police Sgt. Christopher Schiazza that Simmons approached her, banged against the counter glass and demanded that she give him money, asking for “hundreds in an envelope,” according to the release.
The teller said a fellow bank employee was standing next to Simmons and he allegedly told the victim, “I got him,” meaning the coworker. “Don’t do anything, I have him,” Simmons allegedly said.
The female victim felt that the male was threatening her coworker and gave the defendant the bank bait money while hitting the holdup alarm, according to the release. As Simmons left the bank, he told another bank employee, “Back up off me before I shoot you.”
Delaware County Emergency Services put out a description of the suspect and his vehicle. Meehan spotted a vehicle matching the description traveling east bound on Baltimore Avenue while en route to the bank and pulled the defendant over.
Simmons jumped from the vehicle and attempted to flee, but was apprehended with the assistance of Lansdowne Police Officer Kevin McDermott and Yeadon Police Officer Nick Dellassandra, according to the release. Officers searched Simmons and found the bank bait money on him.
Assistant District Attorney Gina Gorbey prosecuted the case. Simmons was represented by defense counsel Dan Donohue.
Sentencing has been set for Feb. 19. Simmons is not eligible for bail due to his incarceration.
Copeland praised the efforts of the responding officers, Sgts. Kenneth Rutherford and Christopher J. Schiazza of the Lansdowne Police Department, as well as Gorbey, “whose prosecutorial efforts have ensured that this defendant will not be able to victimize any more bank tellers and patrons for a long time.”