The Richland Bank on Trimble Rd was robbed on Wednesday July 10, at approximately 10:06 a.m. with the robber making an initial “get-away” with only a small amount of money. Anthony Windbigler, 30 years old, was sent to the Richland County jail with a very large cash bond. Windbigler will go before the grand jury and faces a trial for a first degree felony.
Richland Bank president John Brown noted that the bank is prepared for potential threats.
“All of our procedures are centered on making sure the bank personnel stay safe,” Brown stated. “Hopefully, apprehending him will send a message to anyone dumb enough to commit this crime.”
The scenario unfolded quickly. The robber was in and out of the bank within two minutes, and everything bank employees did during that time led to the suspect’s apprehension. Richland Bank personnel gave good descriptions, a good picture was rendered for the FBI, and that helped law enforcement make a timely arrest of the probable suspect.
“Quite frankly, this is due to very good staff, and security officer Jeff Parton, who trains and coordinates robbery procedures with the Richland Bank staff,” Brown stated.
Brown said his own role in the episode was the part of coordinator, in part keeping media informed, as well as keeping in touch with the staff members thatwere directly affected.
“I don’t understand why someone would commit this crime,” he said, “Banks have the best video and are the most heavily secured businesses.” Brown also credited the Richland County Sheriff’s Department for their immediate response and investigation.
A Richland County Prosecutor’s representative explained that a first degree felony usually carries a sentence of 3-11 years. And Windbigler could receive a firearm specification based on his crime, an additional three years if convicted.
A number of preliminary hearings and pre-trials with a judge are scheduled before the trial. Windbigler’s first preliminary hearing was last Thursday, and Judge Frank Ardis Jr. had him bound over: Placed into custody for the duration of the law process.
“If the defendant is in custody, they move pretty quickly,” stated Chris Tunnell, assistant prosecuting attorney for the Richland County Prosecutor Office. “There’s not a date set yet at the common pleas court. But assuming grand jury indicts him for probable cause, he will be assigned a judge by clerk of courts, and then will go for his jury trial negotiated based upon his plea.”
