Wednesday, May 31, 2000

Springfield Twp. bank robbed

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Greater Cincinnati already ahead of total holdups for '99

By Jane Prendergast and Lew Moores
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        A Springfield Township bank on Tuesday was the latest to be held up, in what has become a record-breaking string of Greater Cincinnati robberies.

PAT KEMPER, A SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP DETECTIVE, LIFTS FINGERPRINTS AT THE BANK BRANCH THAT WAS ROBBED TUESDAY. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        It was the 30th bank robbery this year in Hamilton County, topping the total of 28 for all of 1999.

        About 10:45 a.m., a man entered the PNC Bank branch at 8425 Vine St., near Compton Road. He passed the teller a note that demanded money.

        With the note, the robber handed the teller a bag, said Township Police Chief David Heimpold. The teller filled up the bag, and the man left. He was last seen walking down Vine Street. No getaway car was spotted.

        The man did not display a weapon, the chief said. No one was injured, and only a few customers were in the bank.

        Authorities say there is no way to explain the rash of robberies. Bank robbery is cyclical, said Cincinnati FBI spokesman Ed Boldt.

        In contrast to Cincinnati, the city of Columbus has seen a decline in bank robberies this year. Dayton, however, has had more bank robberies than usual, according to the FBI. Cincinnati's lowest number in recent years was nine, in 1994.

        Authorities have captured suspects in six of the 30 robberies. Three of the heists were attributed to one man, Gary L. Connelly, who was charged with robbing three banks in one day Jan. 15.

        So far, Provident branches have been victimized six times, most of any bank. Four have taken place at Northside Bank & Trust locations.

        Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 421-4310, Springfield Township Police at 729-1300, or Crime Stoppers at 352-3040.

       

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