Prosecutors say man, 66, behind string of bank robberies in southwest Ohio
CINCINNATI, Ohio — Federal authorities have arrested a 66-year-old man they say robbed five banks in the Cincinnati area in just over two months.
Bruce Armstead, of Cincinnati, was arrested Tuesday by FBI agents near his residence, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio. He has been charged with three counts of bank robbery, two counts of armed bank robbery, and two counts of using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.
A federal indictment accuses Armstead of robbing a U.S. Bank in Lockland, Ohio, on Nov. 2, 2021, and again on Nov. 13. On Dec. 8 he robbed a Huntington Bank in Deer Park, then six days later robbed a Fifth Third Bank in Wyoming, Ohio, the indictment says. He also robbed a US Bank in Mount Healthy on Jan. 7, authorities say.
U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker says bank surveillance video and interviews with bank workers helped lead them to Armstead.
Each count of bank robbery is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, while each count of armed bank robbery is punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Use of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence is punishable by a mandatory minimum seven-year sentence.
More crime-related content on cleveland.com:
Stark County man pleads guilty to kidnapping 5-year-old girl, taking her to Illinois
Cleveland man found shot to death in parking lot in the Flats, police say
Read More: Prosecutors say man, 66, behind string of bank robberies in southwest Ohio