A bank robber in torn jeans and a bright red beanie is keeping Columbus detectives busy after a March 2 holdup in the 2800 block of East Main Street, and investigators are now turning to the public for help putting a name to the face.
According to Columbus police, the man walked into the bank, handed a teller a note demanding cash, then took off on foot before officers arrived. The department describes the suspect as an older white man, about 5-foot-8 and roughly 180 pounds, wearing dark, torn jeans, a black leather coat, and the standout red knit cap.
Photos and police description
The Columbus Division of Police released surveillance stills and a short case summary in a Facebook post on March 12, asking anyone who recognizes the man to contact investigators, according to the Columbus Division of Police on Facebook. The post states that the suspect entered the bank, passed a written demand to an employee, and fled on foot. Attached images highlight the suspect’s build and outfit, matching the description officers provided.
How to help investigators
Police are steering potential tipsters to the Robbery Unit and to Crime Stoppers. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Columbus Police Robbery Unit — Detective Rensch at 614-645-4665 — or leave an anonymous tip with Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477). The Robbery Unit contact number is listed on official Columbus Division of Police media releases, per a city media-information PDF; see the Columbus Division of Police media release. Central Ohio Crime Stoppers also publishes its anonymous tipline and web tip tools.
Police turning to the public
Columbus police have been leaning more heavily on social media to crowdsource leads, frequently posting surveillance images and asking the community to help connect the dots. In February, the department made a similar public plea after a robbery on North High Street, a pattern noted in Hoodline’s coverage of the North High Street phone robber…