A Pasco detective says the man, who robbed another bank Thursday, will "keep doing it until he gets caught."
By STEVE THOMPSON
Published August 21, 2004
Sheriff's Detective Pete Weekes slips off his badge when he steps into a bank these days. He keeps his eyes open and is conscious of the gun holstered to his ankle.
A serial bank robber seems to have focused his efforts on Pasco County, and Weekes, the sheriff's lead bank robbery detective, says the man will strike again.
"He'll keep doing it until he gets caught," Weekes said Friday during a news conference. "It's quick, easy money. He doesn't want to work."
The Sheriff's Office thinks the same man is responsible for six bank robberies in Pasco County, as well as two in Clearwater and two in Hillsborough County.
The latest was Thursday's robbery of 1st Kensington Bank in Port Richey. A man walked into the bank and waited in line before presenting a handwritten note on a napkin to the teller.
"Give me all of your money," the teller said it read. She could not make out the rest, and the robber took it with him.
Weekes said the man has flashed a gun during a couple of the robberies and implied during others that he had one. He seems to work with a partner who drives a getaway car.
"He knows the area he's hitting," Weekes said. "He always has an escape plan. He's disappearing too quickly."
But the man will slip up, Weekes said. "We'll catch this guy, sooner or later."
The robber is described as being in his 20s or early 30s, about 5 feet 9 inches tall and 150 pounds. He is black, with a thin build, and he seems to have worn various hats and hairstyles.
Weekes asks that people keep their eyes open around area banks. He asks that anyone with information call him toll free at 1-800-854-2862, ext. 7279.
