Retired Dayton police officer suspect in bank robbery

A retired Dayton police officer is suspected in a robbery of a Cambridge bank.

At about 12:44 p.m. Thursday, a U.S. Bank on Wheeling Avenue in Cambridge was robbed by a man who handed the clerk a note demanding money. The suspect was confronted by a Cambridge police officer as he was attempting to flee through a back door and told the officer he had an explosive device, according to a release.

Dayton Police Lt. Randy Beane confirmed with Dayton Daily News that David Hirst is in the custody of Cambridge police. Hirst retired last year after 25 years’ service, he said. Hirst’s last assignment with the department was in forgery.

Hirst reportedly told law enforcement officials at the bank robbery scene he had a bomb on his person.

“It’s a shock to all of us,” Beane said. “This is so out of character. He is a quiet, steady guy who came to work and did his job.”

Cambridge police have not named Hirst as the suspect.

Upon arrest, the suspect was found to have two loaded handguns. The item that the suspect claimed to be explosive was secured, and several blocks of the downtown area surrounding the area of the bank was closed for several hours after being evacuated, according to police.

The Columbus fire department bomb squad, the Ohio State Fire Marshall, The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI responded.

The device was destroyed, and the contents were collected to be analyzed by the Ohio State Fire Marshall’s Office.