Akron Police, FBI seek suspected serial bank robber

AKRON, Ohio - Akron Police Detectives are asking for the public's help in locating a suspected First Merit bank robber.

Detectives were able to identify last Friday's bank robber through physical evidence and signed a warrant for robbery on Ralphel Antonio Penn, 25, of Cox Drive in Stow, Ohio.

Now, Akron Police are asking for the public's help locating Penn. He's described as a black male, 5'08", 155 lbs.

On August 17, Penn entered the First Merit Bank located at 840 Brittain Road around 11 a.m. He handed the teller a note demanding money, then fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Detectives believe Penn may also be responsible for two other bank robberies, one in Northfield Village and the other in Solon, Ohio.

Additional charges are expected.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ralphel Penn sknowinshould contact the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at (330) 375-2490; the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-866-4-WANTED; the Summit County Crimestoppers, Inc. at (330) 434-COPS; or leave an anonymous tip on the Akron Police Department website .

Callers may remain anonymous.