Akron Man Charged With Bank Robbery, Carjacking And Firearms Violations

A federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment charging Robert E. Campbell, Jr., age 31, of Akron, Ohio, with three bank robberies in the Summit County area, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, one count of carjacking, and one count of brandishing a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

Campbell is accused of robbing the Charter One Bank on East Waterloo Road, the First Merit Bank on Wedgewood Drive and the US Bank on Manchester Road, all within a three-day period.

With the assistance of the Akron Police Department, Campbell was identified through bank surveillance photos. When located, Campbell carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint and led Summit County Sheriff’s Deputies on a slow-speed chase through the Kenmore area which resulted in him striking two vehicles, which resulted in injuries to some occupants. Campbell was then apprehended by Summit County Sheriff’s Deputies.

If convicted, Campbell’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including his prior criminal record, if any, his role in the offenses and the unique 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.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Dirksen following an investigation by the Akron Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshal’s Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Summit County Sheriff’s Office.

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.