MIDDLE SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A man is in custody after a reported armed robbery at a bank in the Poconos Thursday morning, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Police say they received a report of a robbery Thursday morning at the ESSA Bank and Trust in the 5000 block of Milford Road in Middle Smithfield Township.
After reviewing the surveillance video, police state the investigation revealed a man, Michael Muse of Brooklyn, New York, entered the bank wearing a hoodie, black face covering and carrying a pistol.
Police say Muse pointed the pistol at the bank tellers and demanded money. The teller gave Muse a large amount of cash from the register. Muse left the bank with the money and fled the area in a van.
State police troopers found the van in the area of Milford Road and Oak Grove Road. After a brief vehicle then foot pursuit, Muse was taken into custody.
Muse was transported to PSP-Stroudsburg for processing. He will be charged with criminal charges of robbery, theft, fleeing and eluding.
Four bank tellers were present at the time of the robbery, no injuries were reported and there is no threat to the general public.
