''First bank robbery this year'' at posted Willoughby Fifth Third branch

June 8, 2004
Willoughby News Herald

Police, FBI trying to determine if crime is connected to others in area

The FBI is offering reward money for tips that lead to the arrest and conviction of a man who robbed a downtown Willoughby bank Monday afternoon.

A black man wearing a navy blue hooded exercise suit walked into Fifth Third Bank at Mentor Avenue and Erie Street at 1:15 p.m. and demanded money from a teller, Willoughby police Lt. Tom Trem said.
"He approached the teller with a note and implied he had a weapon," said Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Scott Wilson. "He was in and out very quickly. Nobody was hurt."

The robber escaped after grabbing an undisclosed amount of cash. No weapon or vehicle was seen, Wilson said.
There were no customers in the bank at the time, police said.

The culprit appeared to be in his late 20s or early 30s, according to witnesses. He was further described as being about 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds.

FBI officials were still investigating whether he has any connection to a string of recent bank robberies in the area.
"This is the first one in Lake County he's done," said Wilson, "but we're looking at similar robberies in the Cleveland area."
The incident was the first bank robbery in Willoughby this year, Wilson said.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call Willoughby police at (440) 953-4210.

Commentary:
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 two Ohio branches (along with one customer in Michigan) have 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.

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