Masked man who police say planned to rob North Huntingdon bank gets prison sentence

A man who police say wore a rubber mask depicting a heavily wrinkled, middle-aged man as part of a failed bomb plot and bank robbery in North Huntingdon could serve up to two years in jail.

Luke Joseph Dell, 35, of Ohio pleaded guilty Tuesday to terroristic threats and bomb threats, possession of crime instruments and theft. Prosecutors dismissed felony counts of attempted robbery in connection with the attempt that was thwarted Oct. 22 by township police.

Police said Dell wore a life-like rubber mask when he slipped a note to a cashier at a Bob Evans restaurant, claiming there was an active shooter and bomb planted at Norwin and Jeannette high schools.

Dell intended the threats as a diversion for his plan to rob a local bank, police said.

Police said restaurant employees described the suspect and turned over pictures of his vehicle taken as it left the parking lot. According to court records, police spotted Dell’s Dodge Charger on Robbins Station Road and stopped the car. He was still wearing the mask.

Appearing by video from the Westmoreland County Prison on Tuesday, Dell pleaded guilty to six criminal counts and was sentenced by Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio to serve 11 1/2 to 23 months in jail. His request for an early parole was rejected.

The judge gave Dell credit for time served since his arrest on Oct. 22.