Springfield police investigate bank robbery

The Fifth Third Bank on the east side of Springfield was robbed Tuesday afternoon and police are searching for a man who fled with an undetermined amount of cash.

“Right before noon an African-American male, about 5’5”, 150 (pounds), entered the bank, threatened the employees with a handgun demanding money,” Springfield Police Division Sgt. Jeff Flores said.

The man was further described as dark-skinned, with a thin build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses. He is believed to be in his mid-’20s.

It’s unknown if he fled on foot or in a vehicle after leaving the bank at 20 S. Tuttle Road, Flores said.

“We’re looking at surveillance videos trying to determine his direction of travel,” he said.

Detectives sought video from nearby businesses in the strip mall, including Bob Evans.

It was initially unclear if the robber displayed a handgun or simply threatened that he had one, police said.

No one was hurt during the incident.

This is the first bank robbery reported in the city since the PNC Bank at 2025 E. Main St. was robbed on Feb. 6.

The suspect in that case, Aaron Salyers, of Springfield, was arrested the same day and pleaded guilty to a robbery charge in April.

He was sentenced to two years in prison and is currently incarcerated at the Lebanon Correctional Institution.