HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — An Anderson Township man suspected of being the “Black Wig Bandit” who robbed area banks wearing a distinctive wig died Wednesday night in a one-vehicle crash on Interstate 275.

The wrecked Jeep Cherokee in which William M. “Bill” Gregory died Wednesday. (Enquirer photo) | ZOOM |

        William M. “Bill” Gregory, 56, was awaiting trial and was wearing a monitoring device that triggered shortly before the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee he was driving struck a cement abutment just after 8 p.m. in Highland Heights.

        He died shortly after the crash at University Hospital.

        The monitoring device alerted probation officers in Hamilton County. Mr. Gregory was not supposed to leave his home.

        Highland Heights Police Chief Carl Mullen said he doesn't know how fast the Jeep was traveling, or if drugs or alcohol were involved. Police examined the wreckage Thursday for clues.

        An autopsy will be complete next week.

        Mr. Gregory, a 19-year IBM veteran and former president of Mentap Systems Inc., pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court last month to a 19-count indictment charging him with stealing nearly $100,000 from eight suburban banks from Sept. 28 to Feb. 20.

        He was free on $200,000 bond while awaiting his trial scheduled for June 17.

        His brother Michael R. Gregory, 47, of Fairfield, pleaded guilty to lesser charges for his part in the robberies and awaits sentencing. He faces up to 25 years in prison, while his brother faced up to 147 years.

        William Gregory was indicted in April.

        Mr. Gregory lived with his wife in the upscale Regents Park development in a two-story brick Colonial valued at $421,500.

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