Springboro bank standoff ends peacefully

SPRINGBORO, Ohio (WDTN) - Investigators were still combing through evidence Friday night after two armed men surrendered following a five hour standoff at a Springboro bank Friday morning.

Investigators are not commenting whether they recovered a weapon.  They did say they found a rental car a short distance from the bank.  They believe the suspects planned to use the car in the getaway.  FBI investigators are looking into whether an accomplice was involved, but refused further comment.

Charges are expected to be presented to the U.S Attorney's office within the next 48 hours.

The Clearcreek Township Fire Department was called to the bank to investigate smoke inside the bank building after the men were taken into custody around 1:30 p.m.  Investigators confirm that the suspects trashed the inside of the bank and set a fire.  The fire did little damage.

Around 9 a.m., the suspects, identified as Anthony Phillips and Anton Alexander, followed the manager inside the Fifth Third Bank at 795 North Main Street, according to Miami Township Major John DiPietro.

The manager was able to safely escape, but not before shots were fired by the suspects.

"This is as dangerous as it gets," DiPietro said as he described the situation between the armed men still inside the bank and police officers who surrounded the building.

Traffic was blocked in and around the intersection of N. Main Street (SR 741), Lytle Five Points and Gardner Road during the ordeal.

Phillips and Alexander are being held in the Hamilton County Jail on federal bank robbery charges.