The woman known as the “church lady bandit” might be the robber who struck at an Ohio State bank Wednesday, police said.
At approximately 4:26 p.m., a woman entered the U.S. Bank branch at the Ohio Union and passed the teller a note written on a piece of cardboard that demanded money and indicated she had a gun. According to the FBI, the suspect did not appear to be armed. After the teller complied, the robber fled.
A dispatcher for OSU Police said the robber was wearing glasses, a curly wig, a white long-sleeved T-shirt and dark pants, which police said matches the description of the “church lady bandit.”
Lt. Rick Green of OSU Police said that woman — known for wearing nice clothing during one of her bank robberies — is a suspect in six robberies since January 2006.
The FBI described the suspect as being in her late 30s, with a medium build, standing 5-feet-5-inches.
Green, who is leading the investigation, said the “church lady bandit” wears distinctive red glasses that were visible in a video recording from the Union robbery.
OSU Police searched the Ohio Union North Garage for the suspect or evidence linking her to the crime, but Green said she got away.
OSU Traffic and Parking Services escorted cars out of the garage. Police officers, including one with a shotgun drawn, sealed off and cleared the garage around 5 p.m.
At one point, an officer armed with a shotgun stopped a mid-sized beige car. The officer aimed the gun at the vehicle for nearly five minutes, drawing gasps from onlookers. The female driver had her hands on her head but was eventually allowed to pass.
The bank is temporarily closed, said David Wiseley, associate director of the Ohio Union.
OSU Police did not comment on the crime. The robbery is being investigated by OSU Police and the FBI.
Green urged anyone with information to call OSU Police or report anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers or the local FBI office.
Lauren Hallow, Dylan Tussel and Eric Taylor contributed to this story.
