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Dressed as a painter, robber takes cash

Times Staff Writer
Published February 19, 2004

NEW PORT RICHEY - A man dressed like a painter robbed the Bank of America on U.S. 19 near South Road shortly before 3 p.m. Wednesday, police said.

The man gave a teller a note implying he had a gun and kept a hand inside his jacket while money was handed over, Detective Shannon George said. The man left the bank and might have fled on a bicycle. No weapon was shown.

The robber is white, possibly in his 40s. He is between 5-feet-9 and 5-feet-11, with a thin build. George said the robbery was similar to one Feb. 6 at Wachovia Bank on Massachusetts Avenue. In that case, the suspect wore a construction-type hardhat and sunglasses.

Police ask anyone with information on the robberies to call (727) 816-1130.

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