According to Pottsville Police Chief Richard Wojciechowsky, on Thursday, September 19, 2019, around 9:00am officers were dispatched to the BB&T Bank, 9 North Centre Street, for a reported robbery.
Upon immediate arrival officers were informed that a male had entered the bank when it opened and given a note to a teller demanding money and had then left the bank on foot with the cash.
A description of the male was provided and his direction of travel from the bank was also reported by bank employees.
Bank video surveillance was quickly collected to further provide identity information on the actor and he was located by Pottsville Police Sergeant Mark O’Toole in the unit block of South Second Street a short time later and taken into custody without incident.
The male was positively identified as being Rikki Jay Williams 24, formerly of Pottsville, with no current known permanent address. The currency stolen from the bank was recovered from Williams along with a small amount of methamphetamine.
Williams was subsequently interviewed by Det. Joseph Welsh at which time Williams admitted to having gone to the bank and giving the employee a handwritten note demanding money “or he would kill them.” Williams also admitted to reaching for his waistband at that time to make the bank employee believe he had a weapon.
A criminal complaint was prepared by Welsh charging Williams with Robbery, Terroristic Threats, Theft, Receiving Stolen Property, Persistent Disorderly Conduct, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Williams was subsequently interviewed by Det. Joseph Welsh at which time Williams admitted to having gone to the bank and giving the employee a handwritten note demanding money “or he would kill them.” Williams also admitted to reaching for his waistband at that time to make the bank employee believe he had a weapon.
A criminal complaint was prepared by Welsh charging Williams with Robbery, Terroristic Threats, Theft, Receiving Stolen Property, Persistent Disorderly Conduct, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Williams was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Reiley who set bail at $50,000 and committed to the Schuylkill County Prison pending further court action.