FORT WRIGHT — A man claiming he needed money to pay a ransom on his kidnapped son robbed a Peoples Bank of Northern Kentucky branch at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

        The robber handed a teller a note demanding money and then told her he needed the cash to free his son. The kidnapping story included such details as where the father was to leave the money for the kidnappers. But Fort Wright Police Chief Dan Kreinest said it was probably a ruse to distract detectives.

        The bank is at 1850 Ashwood Circle, near an Interstate 71/75 interchange.

        “We have no information of any kidnapping,” he said, adding that officers didn't find anything at the alleged drop-off point — a rest stop on I-71/75 in Boone County.

        Police would not say how much money was taken. The robber did not show a weapon and no one was injured.

        The robber is described as white, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8, 220 to 260 pounds and in his late 20s to early 30s. He had medium to dark brown hair, blue eyes and a goatee. He wore a blue baseball cap with a gold Notre Dame insignia, a dark blue short-sleeve shirt and blue jeans.

        The robber ran from the bank through the parking lot of Tower Hill Plaza and possibly left the area in a red Geo.

        Chief Kreinest said the bank has been the target of several recent robberies, including twice in 2001 by the “potbellied bandit.”

        Douglas Lee Poling, 52, of Newport, Mich., recently pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Bowling Green, Ky., to charges linked to more than a dozen robberies in seven states. He admitted to netting $86,432 in 17 robberies.

        Anyone with have information about Wednesday's robbery is asked to call Fort Wright police, or Crime Stoppers at (513) 352-3040.

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