By Tribune-Review

Published: Tuesday, December 6, 2011

A state police trooper on routine patrol arrested a bank robbery suspect minutes after he pulled a gun on two Blairsville tellers Monday morning.

Matthew James Johns of 703 Whittier Drive, Indiana, robbed the Indiana First Savings Bank at 915 Route 22 in Burrell Township around 11:25 a.m., state police said.

Johns pointed a semiautomatic pistol at two bank tellers and demanded money, police said. After placing the money in a yellow plastic bag he brought with him, Johns left the scene in a white Dodge Caravan and headed east on Route 22 toward Route 119, police said.

A trooper conducting routine patrol along Route 119 near Route 56 in Homer City spotted Johns minutes after the robbery and apprehended him. Police seized money and a gun from Johns' vehicle, police said.

Johns was expected to be arraigned on armed robbery and other charges last night.

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