FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2007
Contact:  Erin Marsicano
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Waugh Bank Robbery Legislation Garners Senate Support

HARRISBURG – Sen. Mike Waugh’s (R-York) Senate Bill 331 gained unanimous support of the State Senate.  The legislation would ensure that robbery of a financial institution would be treated as a felony of the second degree, regardless of the method used to commit the robbery. 

“Bank robberies in Pennsylvania, including several in York County, have continued to rise steadily over the years, which is what prompted me to introduce this legislation,” said Waugh.  “There were also concerns with the sentences for robbery of a financial institution, which seem to lack uniformity and be insufficiently strict to serve as a deterrent.” 

SB 331 amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes with regards to robbery of a financial institution, which has sections pertaining to “robbery” and “robbery of a motor vehicle.”  Therefore, bank robberies have simply been grouped with other “robberies,” which, if no bodily harm was done but property was taken, have been classified as third degree felonies. 

Waugh’s legislation, however, addresses the specific action of taking or removing money of a financial institution, and now classifies such a robbery as a felony of the second degree. 

Due to the increased use of notes and verbal threats to carry out bank robberies, language has been included to address such instances.  SB 331 gives prosecutors the tools they need to prosecute offenders, regardless of the method used by robbers, whether with a note or a gun.  Therefore, even if no weapon was used to commit the robbery and no bodily harm was done, a person can still be found guilty of the offense and be charged with a second degree felony. 

SB 331 now goes to the House for its consideration.