United States Marshal Martin J. Pane announced today that the U.S. Marshals Service arrested bank robbery suspect Karee Pitts in Philadelphia. Pitts was being sought by the Cleona Borough Police Department in Lebanon County for the robbery of the Fulton Bank located at 433 W. Penn Avenue on February 27th.
In that robbery, the suspect handed the teller a letter demanding money. The bank employee placed an undisclosed amount of money in a bag, and gave it to the suspect who fled the scene. Local police identified Karee Pitts as the bank robbery suspect.
On February 27, Magisterial District Judge Michael D. Smith in Cleona issued an arrest warrant against Pitts, charging him with one count of bank robbery.
That same day, the Cleona Borough Police requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service’s Fugitive Task Force in the Middle District of Pennsylvania to locate and arrest Pitts.
Initial investigation revealed Pitts had a lengthy criminal history with prior arrests for murder in the 2nd degree, robbery, possession of a firearm without a license, and assault.
U.S. Marshals based in Harrisburg developed information Pitts had fled to the greater Philadelphia area. Efforts were coordinated with USMS personnel in Philadelphia.
During the morning hours of March 12, U.S. Marshals and members of the USMS Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force in Philadelphia located and arrested Pitts in the 4700 block of Loring Street. He was taken into custody without incident. Pitts, 23, will await court proceedings in Philadelphia regarding his extradition to Lebanon County.
“The U.S. Marshals Service places a high priority on fugitive cases involving suspects with violent tendencies. The Fugitive Task Force worked hard to locate and apprehend him in a very short time, and did so in a safe manner,” said Martin J. Pane, United States Marshal for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
U.S. Marshals were assisted by personnel from the Cleona Borough Police. Additional assistance was provided by the Philadelphia Police Department