Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, Cleveland Division, Northern District of Ohio, and Steven Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio announce the arrest of Taylor Crisman and Chris Hill for the hostage-style armed robbery of KeyBank in Ontario, Ohio in early November.
On November 5, 2015, an unknown suspect held a KeyBank employee and his family hostage at gunpoint overnight in their home. On the morning of November 6, 2015, the suspect ordered the bank employee to travel to the bank, remove a large sum of money from the vault and return home. The suspect held the bank employee's wife and small children hostage until the employee returned home with the money. The bank employee complied with the demand. The suspect then notified an accomplice to pick him up from the residence.
A composite sketch of the unknown suspect was released to the public via the media on Nov. 23, 2015. Various tips were received. Based on the composite sketch being shown by various media outlets, on Nov. 28, 2015, a tip was provided indicating knowledge of the person that committed the KeyBank robbery. Investigators worked with the tipster to corroborate the information obtained over the next several days.
At approximately 12pm today agents from the Cleveland Division of the FBI, Mansfield and Canton resident offices, along with officers from the Ontario Police Department and Richland County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop in Galion, Ohio and placed Crisman, 18, and Hill, 23, both of Galion, Ohio, into custody.
"The FBI commends the media and the public for helping to identify the individual who terrorized a KeyBank employee and his young family overnight," said SAC Anthony. "Crisman and Hill underestimated the collaborative efforts of law enforcement and the community."
"The one thing that these violent criminals did not count on was the incredible work of the FBI, the Ontario Police Department and the Richland County Sheriff's Office," said Dettelbach. "Now they will pay the price at the bar of justice for that oversight."
Crisman was placed into federal custody based on a federal arrest warrant obtained this week. Crisman was transported to Akron, Ohio this afternoon. Hill is currently being held on probable cause charges in the Richland County jail and will be federally charged tomorrow.
Evidence has been obtained at various locations where these two individuals have recently resided. Some items of evidence recovered include the fedora hat and bandana believed to be worn by Crisman during the time he held the family hostage in their home. Also, the.38 caliber handgun believed to be used by Crisman has been recovered.
Investigative activity continues to occur. Additional information will be released when appropriate.
A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Any questions regarding this news release can be directed to SA Vicki D Anderson at the Cleveland Office of the FBI, 216-522-1400 or Vicki.Anderson@ic.fbi.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
