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Lutz man given 6 years in Hernando bank heist

A suspect in four bank holdups in Hillsborough, he is being held in a county jail there while awaiting trial.

By DUANE BOURNE
Published April 15, 2005

BROOKSVILLE - A 29-year-old man accused of robbing the Hernando County Bank west branch before leading authorities on a high-speed chase through Spring Hill in October pleaded guilty on Thursday and was sentenced to six years in prison.

Tito Morell of Lutz is being held at the Hillsborough County jail awaiting trial on similar robbery charges.

Circuit Court Judge Jack Springstead said during the hearing Thursday that if Morell is convicted on the Hillsborough charges, his Hernando sentence should run concurrently. Assistant State Attorney Sherry Byerly did not return a call on Thursday seeking comment.

On Oct. 15, Morell was charged with strong arm robbery, fleeing and eluding, resisting an officer and battery of a law enforcement officer after the bank heist and brief chase.

Later, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office issued warrants for Morell on the suspicion that he held up four banks in Hillsborough from July to October.

During the Hernando County Bank robbery, Morell walked into the west branch, 143000 Cortez Blvd., around 3 p.m. and presented a note demanding money of the teller. He also threatened to use his gun if his requests were not met, Hernando sheriff's officials said.

As soon as the money changed hands, Morell ran to a nearby apartment complex where Sara Louise Palmer, 53, allegedly waited in a black Toyota before they sped off.

Shortly afterward, a Hernando sheriff's deputy noticed the car traveling on Spring Hill Drive and started a chase that topped 80 mph and zigzagged around the Spring Hill area. Residents who live in the apartment complex apparently had noticed a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot and called 911.

The chase ended at County Line Road and Mariner Boulevard, where deputies deployed spike strips. Both Morell and Palmer were arrested.

State prosecutors later dismissed the aiding escape charges against Palmer, saying there was not enough evidence to prove her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, court records stated.

Hillsborough officials said Morell, who has a criminal history spanning more than a decade, robbed the SouthTrust Bank in Sun City Center and a Bay Cities Bank in Lutz, which he allegedly struck on three separate occasions.

Since 1993, Morell has been arrested 11 times for criminal offenses, including burglary, vehicle theft and marijuana possession.

-- Duane Bourne can be reached at 352 754-6114 or dbourne@sptimes.com

[Last modified April 15, 2005, 00:49:17]