ANOTHER VICTIM ZONE ROBBERY: Gunman robs Fifth Third bank

This is the third bank (or bank customer) and fifth business on the Do Not Patronize While Armed list to have been robbed in the past two weeks.

May 22, 2004
Marion Star

MARION -- Officers are searching for a black male and female in connection with a Friday afternoon Fifth Third Bank armed robbery.

The pair entered the bank from the parking lot at about 4 p.m. The man drew a weapon and demanded cash, and the woman went behind the tellers' counter to collect money from tills, according to sheriff's reports. They fled the 1607 Marion-Mount Gilead Road bank branch in a dark-colored, possibly maroon, late-model four-door Chrysler. They were last seen driving south on U.S. 23.

An undetermined amount of cash was taken.

No shots were fired and no one was injured during the incident.

The male subject is described as 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-10 and 150-160 pounds with braided hair, wearing a tan, hooded sweatshirt and tan pants. The female was described as approximately 5-foot-5 and 115 pounds, wearing a red, white and blue shirt dress.

Sheriff John Butterworth and at least two Marion County Sheriff's Office officials were on the scene. Three Marion City Police Department cruisers and two unmarked cars stayed in the area, as back-up for the Sheriff's Office, which has jurisdiction in the case.

"We were just there in case they needed us," said Police Lt. Matt Bayles.

Anyone with information about the robbery should call the Marion County Sheriff's office at 740-382-8244, ext. 0.

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Fifth Third Bank "traces its origins to the Bank of the Ohio Valley, which opened its doors in Cincinnati in 1858."

In addition to Ohio, the bank does business in the CCW states of Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Tennessee and Florida. Customer service reps in Michigan have told callers that they are unaware of any signs in that state, but one internal source says that the bank does ban in Kentucky and other CCW states.

------- Original message -------
From: [email protected]
Date: Wed, 5 May 2004

Dear XXXXX XXXXX:

Thank you for using Fifth Third Internet Banking and for providing us the opportunity to service your needs. In response to your recent inquiry,
the safety of our customers is important to Fifth Third Bank.

In order to limit the anxiety and address the concerns of the majority of our
customers, we have chosen to not allow the carrying of concealed weapons in our banking centers.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your business and look forward to serving you in the future. If you require any further assistance, please email us 24 hours a day or contact a Customer Service Professional at 1.800.972.3030, Monday through Friday between 7:00 AM and 12:00AM, ET, and Saturday or Sunday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, ET.

At Fifth Third Bank We're "Working Hard To Be The Only Bank You'll Ever Need. "

Melissa H. - Fifth Third Internet Banking

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At the family's request, Ohioans For Concealed Carry is in the process of moving the Tony Gordon Memorial Fund away from this bank. As this Marion branch (along with one customer in Michigan) has learned the hard way, it can be quite dangerous to bank at Fifth Third without protection. More information to follow.

Please contact a Customer Service representative by using their secure online form or call 1-800-972-3030.