Man admits role in heists with ex-Aliquippa star

An Aliquippa man charged with robbing banks with the help of his half-brother, a former pro basketball player turned felon, was set to go to trial Monday in federal court but changed his mind and told a judge he committed the crimes.

Tyler Bridges pleaded guilty to four federal counts in connection with the armed robberies of the WesBanco Bank in Ambridge on Feb. 12, 2016, and Sewickley Savings Bank four days later with Herb Pope, an Aliquippa star who played at Seton Hall University and then in Europe.

Mr. Bridges, who is in his early 30s, admitted that he walked into the Ambridge bank with a gun, vaulted the counter and held up the teller stations. A witness saw him leave in a BMW.

He also admitted that he and Mr. Pope robbed the Sewickley bank on Feb. 16, 2016, both armed with guns.

Mr. Pope pleaded guilty in 2017 and is looking at a possible 10 years in prison when he is sentenced in May.

Allegheny County police said Mr. Pope, who was 32 when he pleaded guilty, walked into the WesBanco on Feb. 12 and asked if the bank could handle overseas wire transfers. A teller said no and he left. A few minutes later, Mr. Bridges came in with a gun and robbed the bank of $11,128.

On Feb. 16, Mr. Pope walked into the Sewickley bank and made a similar request regarding international money transfers. He told employees he was a pro basketball player from Aliquippa.

A teller said the bank didn’t handle wire transfers but told him about a nearby bank that did. Mr. Pope left, but 10 minutes later he and Mr. Bridges came back with guns, vaulted the counter and robbed the bank of $3,543.

Police later recovered the guns, stolen money, a mask and gloves at Mr. Bridges’ house.

U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon will sentence him in July.