Accused Burgettstown bank robber waives case to court
An Ohio man accused of robbing a Burgettstown bank more than 14 months ago waived his case to court last week.
Justin Tyler Butler, 22, of Steubenville, was extradited back to Washington County May 8 to face charges filed by McDonald police in the April 5, 2016, robbery of the PNC branch, 1803 N. Main St. Butler waived two counts of robbery, three counts each of terroristic threats and reckless endangerment, and one count of theft. One count of robbery was withdrawn by the prosecution at the June 1 preliminary hearing before District Judge Gary Havelka.
Butler was taken into custody less than a week after the robbery after an anonymous tip and fingerprints led McDonald police to identify him as the robber. Butler was not wearing gloves during the robbery and reportedly touched a counter, where fingerprints were lifted by the state police forensic services unit.
He had been lodged in Jefferson County, Ohio, jail since April 11, 2016.
Butler reportedly approached a teller and handed her a note stating “Give me all your money or I’ll … blow this place up.”
The teller gave him the cash. Another bank employee told police the robber seemed nervous and agitated, mumbling “Hurry up, hurry up. I’ll blow this place up.”
Butler, who is in Washington County jail on $20,000 bond, is scheduled for formal arraignment July 21.