Bank robbery suspect allegedly stole over $31K

TOLEDO — On Feb. 24, a search warrant was executed at a Findlay residence in relation to five bank robberies dating back to the end of December 2022 throughout Northwest Ohio. Gage D. Haws, 28, of Findlay, was arrested by the Findlay Police Department for an unrelated charge after the search warrant was executed by the FBI with help of FPD's Emergency Response Team. A complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court's Northern District of Ohio in Toledo on Feb. 27. According to the complaint, Haws allegedly stole: • $3,000 from the Premier Bank in Arlington using a note on Dec. 31, 2022. • $10,000 from the Old Fort Bank in Bettsville using a black pistol with a silver ejection port on Feb. 2. • $2,000 from the Union Bank Co. in Kalida using a black pistol with a silver ejection port on Feb. 11.• $16,000 from the State Bank and Trust Company in Delta using a black pistol with a silver ejection port on Feb. 16. In a sworn affidavit from Special Agent Caleb Williams of the FBI Cleveland Division, Lima Resident Agency, investigators identified a common vehicle seen during the robberies, near the banks. After the Delta robbery, investigators identified the vehicle after obtaining the license plate from a witness. The vehicle, a silver Kia Forte, was located at its registered address in the 100 block of Shinkle Street. Surveillance of the vehicle and occupants was conducted by investigators, who observed two white males residing at the address. Investigators identified one white male as Haws and believed he matched the subject's descriptions. DNA was also collected during the search of the vehicle and the residence. Haws was taken into custody by Findlay Police Department on a warrant for receiving stolen property from Sept. 2022. He was booked into the Hancock County Justice Center, where he was interviewed by Special Agent Andrew Eilerman prior to being released to the FBI. During the interview, Haws confessed to robbing the banks. According to the affidavit, Haws said he had also attempted to rob a bank in McCutchenville, but was unable to enter the lobby. He told investigators he used the Forte to drive to each bank and started brandishing an airsoft gun because the Arlington bank robbery took too long. He always wore black clothing and utilized a variety of disguises between the robberies. Haws allegedly performed surveillance on the bank locations and looked them up on Google Maps before robbing them. He allegedly threw the pistol out of the window after he was chased by a witness from the Delta robbery. Haws allegedly had to threaten the tellers in Kalida, saying he would shoot them and himself. The money was spent on drugs, drug debts, paying back money he borrowed and lifestyle expenses, the affidavit says. Haws allegedly spent all the money he stole from the banks. The affidavit said Haws planned on robbing another bank, and he thought he would get caught eventually.