UPDATE: Suspected Blan bank robber found dead of apparent overdose

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BLANCHESTER — A suspect in Friday afternoon’s bank robbery was found dead Monday of an apparent drug overdose, according to Blanchester police.

Employees of the Peoples Bank branch at 125 W. Main St. told officers Friday that at around 5:45 p.m. the robber handed a teller a note instructing her to give him cash. The bank teller complied and the man fled out the front doors of the business onto West Main Street.

At around 7 a.m. Monday a briefing was held among the Blanchester police officers investigating the robbery.

Based on the evidence gathered to that point, a determination was made to focus on Kevin Helton, 52, as a suspect, said Police Chief Scott Reinbolt.

At around 10 a.m. Monday police were called to a residence at 145 Orchard Circle for a reported dead body.

“Ptl. Kristen Jeffers is familiar with Helton, and found him dead in the bathroom of that residence of an apparent drug overdose,” said Reinbolt. The Clinton County coroner was notified and an investigator from his office responded to the scene.

Officers later conducted a search of the residence at 404 Bourbon Street, the residence of Helton’s parents.

“Information developed during the investigation indicated that Helton was homeless but occasionally stayed at the Bourbon Street residence,” said Reinbolt. “Officers found evidence inside the home implicating Helton as the perpetrator of the bank robbery.”

Later Monday afternoon, Blanchester police showed a photo array to a witness, who identified Helton as the bank robber.

“At this point we consider the case closed,” said Reinbolt. “I appreciate the hard work of our officers over the past few days, and we appreciate the assistance of the numerous witnesses who made themselves available for interview and for their helpful information.”

http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2018/02/web1_Image-002-1-1.jpg

This is security camera footage of the man police say robbed Peoples Bank in Blanchester late Friday afternoon.
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2018/02/web1_teller-media-release-3-4.jpgThis is security camera footage of the man police say robbed Peoples Bank in Blanchester late Friday afternoon. Courtesy photo | Blanchester PD

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