In August a robbery at the SPE Credit Union followed a series of bomb threats throughout the State College area.
Police said Rodrequis Council and Marquis Buckley teamed up to rob the credit union in Ferguson Township.
The two are also accused of calling in bomb threats at Walmart in Patton Township and on Penn State’s Campus.
Chris Albright, Chief of Ferguson Township Police, said between the timing and the hand-made devices, it appears they had spent time planning the events.
Albright said they created devices to look like bombs.
According to the criminal complaint, Buckley used it as a scare tactic, as he ran out with about $9,000 in cash from the bank.
“We had tactical teams, we had officers called in, we had bomb squads from different locations coming in to help out with this event,” Albright said.
Buckley is in custody without bail in Virginia.
Police there said he committed two other robberies and confessed to his crimes in Centre County.
“I don’t anticipate him going anywhere anytime soon,” Albright said.
On Friday, Council was taken into custody in State College.
He’s facing four felony charges including conspiracy, terroristic threats, and receiving stolen property.
Albright said his team crossed paths with Council and Buckley when they were found lingering at Tudek park after hours.
“And then as they were putting together some information internally, that’s when they started recognizing the pictures from the bank robbery and Walmart and slowly started to put the pieces together,” Albright said.
Buckley and Council both have a criminal history and were convicted for robberies.
Police said the two met while serving time.
Albright said putting them behind bars again is a success for the many departments involved and a sign of relief for the community.
“Getting people like this into custody, violent, armed criminals, is something that is very important to us and the community,” Albright said.
Council’s bail is set to $300,000.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 15
