Serial Bank Robber Arraigned in Mentor Municipal Court

Alex Harper – the 26-year-old man accused of  – was already convicted of robbing five banks in 2005.

Harper had admitted to robbing five banks in the summer of 2005 in Northeast Ohio. In each case, Harper would enter the bank with a note, warning the teller that he had a weapon and demanding money.

The teller would give him money and he would flee. However, the fifth time he tried to do it, he was arrested.

At the time, Harper was 21 years old. He told authorities that he robbed banks to support his 4-year-old son that was born out of wedlock when he was 17.

The federal judge sentenced Harper to 57 months in prison.

However, Harper was back in court this morning. He is accused of, once again, proffering a note and demanding money from the bank teller of First National Bank. Police arrested him after a lengthy car and foot chase through Mentor, Willoughby, Wickliffe and Euclid.

During the chase, Harper threw evidence from the window of his getaway car, Mentor Police Lt. Ken Zbiegien said. The getaway car, a 2002 Lexus, belongs to Harper's father, according to what the suspect said in court today.

Harper, who lives in Richmond Heights, is charged with robbery, tampering with evidence, fleeing and eluding and driving with a suspended license.

Mentor Municipal Court Judge John Trebets set his cash bond at $308,000, which Harper did not post.

If convicted of all three felony charges, Harper could face between two and 13 1/2 years in prison. He could also face additional time for violating his federal probation.