Police seek help from public, FBI to find accused East Liberty 'serial bank robber'

Pittsburgh police are seeking help from the FBI and public to find an East Liberty man whom officials described as “a serial bank robber.”

On Wednesday, authorities issued two warrants for the arrest of Shawn Stevens, 49.

Public Safety spokesman Chris Togneri said Stevens is accused of robbing two banks — including one in the city’s Shadyside neighborhood on Tuesday — while on parole related to a conviction for a previous bank robbery.

Stevens “should be considered potentially armed and dangerous,” Togneri said, and anyone who sees him should call 911 immediately.

Stevens is accused of walking quietly into the PNC Bank branch on Walnut Street in Shadyside, shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday, and handing a teller a note warning that he was armed. The note directed the teller to place cash in a bag with no dye packs.

Police say Stevens took an undisclosed amount of money and left the bank without saying anything.

Stevens is accused of robbing on Sept. 9 a Citizens Bank branch on Fifth Avenue in the city’s Oakland neighborhood.

Stevens is 5 feet 9 inches tall, black, weighs 240 pounds and has brown eyes.

The FBI is assisting in the investigation.

Officials asked anyone with information to call Pittsburgh police’s Violent Crime Unit detectives at 412-323-7161. Callers can remain anonymous.