Police are searching for a woman who robbed a Columbiana County bank Friday morning at gunpoint.

The Chase Bank on North Main Street in Columbiana was robbed around 8:55 a.m. The robber took an undisclosed amount of cash from a bank teller's drawer then fled on foot on Allen Avenue toward Vine Street.

There were no reported injuries and the teller was the only person in the bank, Columbiana Police Chief Tim Gladis said.

"There was nothing said other than demanding the money and getting the money and leaving. There was no conversation. We don't know why the bank was targeted or even if it was targeted," Gladis said.

Gladis said investigators believe the robber is a woman based on the sound of the voice and general physical characteristics.

The robber is between 5 feet 2 inches and 5 feet 6 inches tall with an average build. The robber's face and hair was covered and the person was wearing black clothes.

"If someone saw somebody outside in all-black garb, which may include a coat a hat and gloves that the person had on, (which is) unusual given the warm day today, if anyone saw something weird like that, we ask that they call about that," Gladis said.

Gladis said word spread quickly through the police department's Facebook page.


"We began getting inquiries almost immediately because people heard about it from the response, and so we put that up as quick as we could before the standard press release was even sent out yet. Social media is much more immediate. It's a very good source for information and for tips coming in," Gladis said.


The bank was closed for the remainder of the day Friday.

Anyone with information is asked to immediately call police or the NEWS9 Lauttamus Security Crime Busters Tipline at 800-862-BUST.