5/22/18
by News Department on 05/22/18Bank Robber sentenced...
A Berks County man could spend the rest of his life in prison after a federal jury convicted him on Friday of robbing four banks in central Pennsylvania, including two in Schuylkill County.
According to the Republican Herald, 28 year old Derek Pelker, of Wernersville, was found guilty after prosecutors charged him with robbing BB&T Bank, Valley View, on Nov. 17, 2015, and Gratz Bank, Valley View, on Jan. 14, 2016, in addition to robberies in York and Lebanon Counties.
U.S. Marshals arrested Pelker on April 8, 2016, at a traffic stop in Derry Township, Dauphin County.
Eight co-defendants, including Derek Pelker’s brother, Kevin Pelker, already had pleaded guilty to their participation in one or more of the robberies.
27 year old Ryan Martin, of Reading, pleaded guilty on Dec. 1, 2017, to participating in both Valley View robberies, and is awaiting sentencing.
