Clevelander Charged With Robbing 3 East Side Banks

CLEVELAND, OH — The Department of Justice announced Wednesday that it is charging a Cleveland man with three bank robberies that happened in early 2018. Aaron Nickerson, 22, is accused of robbing banks in Warrensville Heights, Richmond Heights and East Cleveland.

“This defendant put countless lives at risk when he and his associates used firearms to rob banks,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said in a statement. “We continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prioritize violent crime and prosecute those who harm our community.”

Nickerson has been indicted on three counts of armed bank robbery and two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence. He is accused of joining up with two other robbers to hit the U.S. Bank on Richmond Road in Warrensville Heights, the Ohio Savings Bank on Richmond Road in Richmond Heights, and the US Bank on Forest Hills Boulevard in East Cleveland.

“This individual engaged in violent bank robberies that threatened the lives of bank customers, employees, and our citizens,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony. “The Cleveland FBI, in partnership with East Cleveland Police Department, Warrensville Heights Police Department, Richmond Heights Police Department and Euclid Police Department, are committed to pursuing and prosecuting those who commit such dangerous acts.”

The Robberies

The first robbery happened Jan. 18. The robbery took place at about 10:50 a.m. when two armed men came into the US Bank in Warrensville Heights. One suspect carried a silver revolver, the other a black semi-automatic pistol. Both men were wearing all black, with gloves and hooded sweatshirts pulled tight around their faces, according to information the FBI provided at the time. .

The robbers banged on the glass at the teller counter with their handguns. They then demanded the tellers hand over money in $50 and $100 denominations. The suspects got cash from multiple teller drawers, placed the money in a pouch on the front of their sweatshirts and then ran outside and got into a blue sedan.

The FBI believed there were three people involved in the initial robbery, the two armed suspects from inside the bank and a getaway driver.

On Feb. 7, the same trio allegedly robbed the Ohio Savings Bank in Richmond Heights. The robbery took place in the mid-afternoon, at about 2:20 p.m. That's when the two suspects came into the bank at 720 Richmond Road. One of the men was brandishing a handgun, the FBI said.

One of the suspects then jumped the teller counter and demanded money. The tellers handed over cash and the suspect put the money into a bag. The suspects escaped in a stolen car, the FBI said at the time.

The U.S. Bank was robbed Feb. 20 by three men, according to information released by the FBI at the time. Three suspects arrived at the bank branch at 1813 Forest Hills at about 10:40 a.m. They pulled up in a newer black Honda Accord. Two of the men got out of the car and went into the bank.

One of the suspects pulled out a handgun and put it to the head of a security guard in the lobby. Another suspect then went to the teller and demanded money. The teller met the demand, handing over some cash. No one was hurt during the robbery.

The investigation into the accused bank robbers were led by the FBI, with help from the Warrensville Heights, Euclid, Richmond Heights and East Cleveland Police Departments. The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office Crime Strategies Unit also assisted.

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