Columbus man indicted for robbing banks in Cleveland, Lakewood and Eastlake

A Columbus man was indicted for robbing banks in Cleveland, Lakewood and Eastlake.

Andre Harris, 59, was indicted on three counts of bank robbery.

He is accused of robbing the Key Bank at 3601 Chester Ave. in Cleveland on February 8, the Fifth Third at 14800 Madison Ave. in Lakewood on February 11 and Chase Bank at 35400 Vine Street in Eastlake on February 15, according to the indictment.

“Bank robberies are not just crimes against financial institutions,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith. “They leave bank employees and customers shaken not just in the moment, but sometimes for years after. The FBI will continue to work with our local law enforcement partners to address these violent crimes.”

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors uniqueto this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ role in the offenses and the characteristics of the violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

These robberies were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Kane and Ranya Elzein.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.