Briefly... CITY/REGION

Feds seeking man in holiday bank heists

The holiday season has proven to be plenty busy for one local bank robber.

The thief, who tried unsuccessfully to knock over a Wells Fargo Bank on 52nd Street near Jefferson in West Philly yesterday morning, has robbed four banks within the last two weeks, according to the FBI.

He's described as a thirtysomething black man, about 5-foot-10, with a medium build and medium complexion. In all but one of the heists, he wore eyeglasses.

The scene has played out the same way each time: the crook walks in, hands a threatening note to a teller, and takes off on foot.

The bandit has not brandished any weapons, the FBI said, and no one has been injured during any of the heists.

Tipsters may contact the FBI at 215-418-4000, and can remain anonymous. A reward might be available for information that leads to an arrest, the FBI said.

Cops: Faulty wiring caused school bus crash

A school-bus driver was seriously injured yesterday after his vehicle plowed into a pole on Roosevelt Boulevard, police said.

About 1:30 p.m., wiring located near the driver's seat caught fire, causing second-degree burns to his legs, a police spokeswoman said.

In the chaos, the driver, whose identity hasn't been released, lost control of the school bus and crashed on the highway near Fox Street in East Falls.

The driver was taken to Temple University Hospital, where he remained last night.

None of the 23 high-school students on board the bus was hurt.

Cops: Driver slams into Bucks home, kills woman

A woman living out her final days with her family died yesterday when a pickup truck slammed into her home, police said.

Last night, Bristol Township Police were questioning the driver of that truck, who turned himself in to investigators after fleeing the scene of the crash.

The tragedy unfolded about 2:30 a.m., when a red Dodge Ram pickup truck slammed into a house on the corner of Red Brook and Rolling lanes in Levittown, Bucks County, said Bristol Township acting police Chief Ralph Johnson.

Jenny Russon, 93, a hospice patient, was sleeping near where the truck crashed into the house and was severely injured. She died hours after the incident, Johnson said.

Though the driver initially fled the scene, Bristol Township officers tracked the vehicle to a home on Bath Street near Buckley in Bristol, about 4 miles away, Johnson said.

Police contacted its driver, who surrendered to police at a nearby gas station.

Johnson said the man allegedly behind the wheel was cooperating with investigators last night.

It was unclear if drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

- David Gambacorta and Vinny Vella