FirstMerit victim zone - 4th robbery in two weeks

Last week, a new policy of banning firearms in FirstMerit Bank began to be enforced. Signs were posted in several branches, with word that they will be posted in all Ohio branches. Unfortunately for residents in Pennsylvania, who have been able to bank at FirstMerit for several years without being confronted with discriminatory signs, we have learned the bank plans to post them there too. That state has had a concealed carry law since the late 1980's.

The following story highlights what is now the fourth robbery at a FirstMerit in the past two weeks.

May 25, 2004
NBC4Columbus.com

Police Search For Armed Bank Robbers
Men Seen Dressed In Camouflage

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Police searched a wooded area near Polaris Parkway Tuesday afternoon for a pair of bank robbers, NewsChannel 4 reported.

Two white men dressed in camouflage reportedly robbed the First Merit Bank at East Powell Road and Polaris Parkway at about 2:45 p.m. One of the robbers stayed in the lobby and covered the employees and customers with a dark-colored semi-automatic pistol, while the other robber ran behind the teller counter and removed money from the drawers, according to the FBI.

The men, who were armed, left the bank in a car. That car, reportedly a two-door Acura with no license plate, was found in the Lake Club apartment complex. The vehicle was reported stolen from a car dealer in Akron earlier in the morning.

Police searched an area along the railroad tracks behind the complex, which is west of South Old State Road, NewsChannel 4 reported.

The search was called off at about 4:45 p.m.

Investigators said surveillance cameras could provide images of the robbers, who were said to be in their 20s or 30s and of average height and weight.

Anyone with information should contact the Delaware County Sheriff's Office at (740) 833-2810 or the FBI at (614) 224-1183.

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