Police get arrest warrant for alleged bank robber
State police have obtained an arrest warrant for the man they believe robbed a bank inside the Giant Eagle store at Clearview Mall on Sunday afternoon.
Troopers searched all day today for Alexander J. Welter, 22, of Oakland Township but could not find him.
Police believe he could be driving a GMC pickup truck.
According to investigators, Welter walked into the Citizens bank branch shortly before 1 p.m. Sunday wearing a motorcycle helmet and used a handwritten note to demand money from a teller.
“This is a robbery. I am armed. $3,000. No die (sic) packs,” the note read, according to police.
The man ultimately made off with “a couple thousand” dollars, police said. No weapons were seen or displayed during the robbery.
Welter is described as white, about 6 feet tall with a medium build, blonde hair and blue eyes.
Trooper Chris Balcik tonight said police released a photo of the suspect in hopes it would generate tips from the public, He credited a member of the community for helping to identify Welter to investigators.
Balcik said that police believe Welter may be driving the pickup truck that he borrowed from a friend after ditching a motorcycle he had used as a getaway vehicle during the robbery.
Police recovered the cycle as well as the helmet and sweatshirt the suspect allegedly wore during the robbery, in the friend's garage.
According to online court documents, Welter has been charged with one felony count each of robbery, theft and receiving stolen property, as well as misdemeanor counts of terroristic threats and simple assault.
He was released from the Butler County Prison on Dec. 13, after posting $10,000 bail.
