Off-duty cop guards bank that was robbed

Bank pays cop for his time; police, FBI still investigating apparently unarmed robbery

PERKINS TWP.

Police and FBI officials are still investigating a March 16 unarmed bank robbery at an East Perkins Avenue bank branch.

Citizens Banking Co. officials hired an off-duty Perkins police officer to be on guard at the branch this week, said Perkins police chief Tim McClung. Banks, restaurants and retail stores sometimes hire off-duty officers after such an incident to let customers know steps are being taken to improve security and prevent a future incident.

"It can put customers' and employees' minds at ease," McClung said.

The bank pays the off-duty officer; the township does not, McClung said.

Citizens Banking Co. president Jim Miller declined to comment on the officer, saying he could not discuss security measures at the bank.

Investigators think a silver Pontiac Grand Am, year 2000 or newer, was involved in last week's robbery. They say the suspect was a white male in his 20s wearing a beige sweater with dark stripes, a white ball cap and baggy jeans.

The last bank robbery in the township, the U.S. 250/Strub Road National City Bank branch heist in October 2004, still has not been solved despite ongoing investigations, said Perkins detective Darren Martell, who is investigating that and the most recent case.

Police have connected Matthew McMurray, 23, of Marblehead, the man accused of leading township police on a high-speed chase in December, to two December robberies -- one at the West Washington Street British Petroleum Station in Sandusky and the other at the Milan Road Econo Lodge in Perkins Township.

Anyone with information on this robbery or anyone who saw what happened and has not come forward is encouraged to contact Perkins police and ask for Detective Darren Martell at 419-627-0824.