Clogged Toilet Holds Evidence From Bank Robbery
Robbery Suspects Stayed In Hotel Room Where Money Found
POSTED: 5:11 p.m. EST March 10, 2004
UPDATED: 5:50 p.m. EST March 10, 2004
FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Some new evidence has turned up in last week's bank robbery turned motel standoff.
Friday, two men robbed a bank in Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County. Police caught up with suspects in a motel in Fairview Township, and it took one suspect hours before he surrendered to police.
Wednesday, some of the stolen money was discovered in an unlikely location.
The toilet in a room at the Keystone Inn, where Aaron Easton and Jonathan Penn had been staying, was clogged until recently. The two have been charged with the robbery and remain in the Cumberland County Prison.
The root of the toilet problem was unlike anything motel owner Nick Patel expected.
"Our guys take out the toilet and flip it and they found some money. So they took out all the money," Patel said.
Patel estimated his crew discovered about $200 stuck in the toilet's pipes. Most of it was ripped $10 bills.
"We are surprised and shocked because money came out one by one. It's coming out and out," motel manager Don Patel said.
Police believe the men tried to flush the stolen money.
"Our officers tore the toilet apart in a search warrant and couldn't find anything else," said Frank Williamson, with the Lower Allen Township Police Department.
Don Patel was the first to find the money. He used a hanger to pry it out of the toilet.
"It's always an added benefit to get the money back. Unfortunately, it's not in the condition to be used in the future. It won't be returned to the bank," Williamson said.
In addition to the money, the maintenance crew also found two bullets stuffed in a pillow case.
Wednesday morning, officers from the Lower Allen Township Police Department collected what they believe are the final pieces of evidence at the Keystone Inn.
Now, Nick Patel said he's ready to open this room again to paying customers.
Police in Lower Allen Township said this is an on going investigation.
"Our guys take out the toilet and flip it and they found some money. So they took out all the money," Patel said.
Patel estimated his crew discovered about $200 stuck in the toilet's pipes. Most of it was ripped $10 bills.
"We are surprised and shocked because money came out one by one. It's coming out and out," motel manager Don Patel said.
Police believe the men tried to flush the stolen money.
"Our officers tore the toilet apart in a search warrant and couldn't find anything else," said Frank Williamson, with the Lower Allen Township Police Department.
Don Patel was the first to find the money. He used a hanger to pry it out of the toilet.
"It's always an added benefit to get the money back. Unfortunately, it's not in the condition to be used in the future. It won't be returned to the bank," Williamson said.
In addition to the money, the maintenance crew also found two bullets stuffed in a pillow case.
Wednesday morning, officers from the Lower Allen Township Police Department collected what they believe are the final pieces of evidence at the Keystone Inn.
Now, Nick Patel said he's ready to open this room again to paying customers.
Police in Lower Allen Township said this is an on going investigation.Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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