Woman’s tip about brother led officers to wrong man

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Police in Columbus say they arrested the wrong man for a series of bank robberies based on a tip from the man’s own sister.

Columbus police Sgt. Shaun Laird says because families usually don’t turn in relatives, such information is considered a “golden tip.”

E. Scott Shaw, an attorney representing the wrongly arrested man, told the Columbus Dispatch the case was handled poorly, and his client is considering legal action.

The man was released after the arrest last month of Brian Parnell of Dayton, now charged in Kenton County, Kentucky, with robbery and fleeing police.

The FBI dubbed the suspect in 10 bank robberies the “Sock Hat Bandit” because he wore a stocking cap during the crimes.