Man indicted in bank robbery

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A federal grand jury here has indicted Timothy J. Wolfe, 49, of Niles in the robbery of Farmers National Bank in Niles on Oct. 19. No weapon was used in the robbery.

Wolfe’s indictment alleges he took about $5,563 from the bank, at 5845 Youngstown-Warren Road.

Niles police said they believe Wolfe is the person who called 911 that day to make a false bomb threat at Niles McKinley High School and who called 911 a short time later to say that he had seen a person inside the J.C. Penney store in Eastwood Mall with a gun in his waistband.

No bomb or person with a gun were found, and police believe the calls were a diversion to keep police away from the bank, which is located just south of Eastwood Mall.

After police recognized Wolfe on bank surveillance video, they obtained a warrant for his arrest, and Wolfe was picked up in East Cleveland the same day as the robbery.

Wolfe is a Niles native who had been staying with friends on Higley Avenue in Niles just before the robbery, Niles police said.