Miscommunication leads to commotion on Sandusky

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An apparent breakdown in communication Tuesday afternoon resulted in a false bank robbery report, a man being detained on North Sandusky Street and several police vehicles speeding down South Sandusky.

Police report they received a call about 3 p.m. about a robbery in progress at the Delaware County Bank branch located at 199 S. Sandusky. Several Delaware police, as well as Delaware County sheriff’s deputies, sped down Sandusky Street — lights and sirens on — shortly afterwards where they spoke to bank employees.

However, a robbery was not in progress, officers learned when they arrived.

Bank employees explained to police that earlier in the day a woman and her grandson had utilized the drive-through window of the bank. However, when employees reviewed the woman’s account, they found what they thought to be suspicious activity and believed the grandson was stealing from his grandmother. They then contacted police.

Authorities were unsure Tuesday afternoon how the information then was communicated as a bank robbery in progress.

Officers spoke to the woman at her home and she told police that she was aware of the activity on her account and assured them that no criminal offense had occurred.

However, a description of the grandson had been transmitted to police when the case was still believed to be robbery and a man loosely matching the description provided was taken into custody briefly by police on North Sandusky Street. He was released after detectives determined he had nothing to do with the incident.

Police said the investigation into the potential theft was closed but said they are looking into the breakdown in communication.

By Glenn Battishill

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Glenn Battishill can be reached at 740-413-0903 or on Twitter @BattishillDG.

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