Tampabay: Detectives identify suspect in 7 robberies

Detectives say the robber, who is still at large, is Steven Michael Aitken, 36. Police say they identified him through video images from bank security cameras.

The most recent robbery occurred about 11:30 a.m. Thursday at a Bank of America at 1300 66th St. N.

Police say Aitken walked in with a chrome semiautomatic handgun and ordered employees and customers to the ground. He vaulted the teller counter, took an undisclosed amount of cash and left. A witness saw him drive away in a stolen car, said St. Petersburg police Detective Jim Shakas.

Shakas said that Aitken, who is considered armed and dangerous, is believed to have committed robberies at six other area banks since January.

St. Petersburg police have not yet filed arrest warrants charging Aitken with bank robbery. However, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office has several warrants for Aitken's arrest, charging him with forgery and grand theft.

In 1990, Aitken was sentenced to 10 years of community control for kidnapping a child, state records show. Because parole officers can't find Aitken, the state is classifying him as a fugitive.

Anyone with information about Aitken's whereabouts is asked to call St. Petersburg police Detective Shakas at (727) 893-4911 or the police communications center at (727) 893-7780.

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