Delaware County sheriff’s deputies were still searching late Thursday for a man they say robbed a bank in Lewis Center.
Officials from the sheriff’s office said that at 11 a.m. Thursday an armed man robbed the First Merit Bank located at 1156 E. Powell Road and fled on foot.
No one was harmed in the robbery, officials said.
Officials described the man as a young black male possibly in his 20s. Officials estimate he weighs roughly 200 pounds and was wearing a gray or green button-up shirt and blue jeans.
Because the man fled on foot in the Olentangy School District, officials said Oak Creek Elementary, Glen Oak Elementary, Orange Middle School, Orange High School, Olentangy High School, Olentangy Academy, Shanahan Middle School, Arrowhead Elementary School and Heritage Elementary were all placed on lockdown until classes were dismissed at the end of the day. Officials said the Olentangy central office was also locked down for several hours.
Officials said deputies and police dogs were in pursuit of the man.
Officials put out an update Thursday afternoon, saying they had gathered evidence, talked to witnesses and are continuing to gather information about the man, in the hopes of identifying and apprehending him.
Officials are asking anyone with any information about the suspect to call the sheriff’s office at 740-833-2800.
This is the second time in less than a year that the First Merit Bank in Lewis Center has been robbed. On the afternoon of Aug. 11, 2015, a man entered the bank and handed the teller a note demanding money, deputies said. The man then fled in a vehicle on East Powell Road.
