HAMILTON COUNTY, OH (FOX19) - An off-duty cop is no longer welcome inside the bank where he fired his weapon while trying to stop a robbery in-progress, according to county officials.
Mount St. Joseph University police officer Carl Rauschenberger was justified when he returned fire at two suspects inside the Key Bank in Colerain Township, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters announced Wednesday.
Rauschenberger won’t be facing charges for the May 22 incident, but he will need to find a new bank, Deters said.
"The disturbing part of this story is this: this morning, I spoke with the police officer and he told me that Key Bank called him and told him that they no longer wanted his business because he had traumatized the bank customers and employees,” Deters said.
However, Key Bank disputes that claim.
"There appears to have been a misunderstanding, and we apologize for any confusion," the company said in a statement Wednesday night. "To be clear, at no time did we ask this client to end his relationship with KeyBank and we will contact him to discuss his concerns."
Rauschenberger drew his weapon when he encountered Malcolm Jones and Nelson Jones inside the Springdale Road bank.
Officials said Malcolm Jones began shooting at the officer, prompting Rauschenberger to return fire.
Deters said the officer acted heroically and risked his own life to ensure that no one else got hurt.
“If I were running Key Bank, I would have given this officer a medal and free checking,” the prosecutor said.
There were no injuries to the police officer, the customers in the bank or any bank employees.
Malcolm Jones was wounded.
Both suspects fled the scene.
Nelson Jones has been arrested and Malcolm Jones remains at large. Both suspects have been indicted on federal charges including armed bank robbery.
Deteres’ office is donating $2,500 to Crime Stoppers for information leading to the arrest of Malcolm Jones.
"If he is arrested prior to October 1, pursuant to a Crime Stoppers tip, my office will offer an additional $5,000 reward," Deters said.
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