Bank robber is at large in afternoon heist
By Times Staff Writer
Published November 7, 2007
PALM HARBOR
A man who implied that he had a weapon robbed the Bank Of America at 33451 U.S. 19 about 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, Pinellas County sheriff's officials said. The man waited in line briefly, then approached a teller and demanded cash in Spanish. He also implied he had a weapon, but the teller didn't see one and gave the robber an undisclosed amount of cash. Investigators described him as about 25 years old, 5-feet-6 to 5-feet-7 and weighing about 160 pounds. He was clean-shaven and wore a dark baseball cap with an unknown logo and a dark, possibly blue 3/4-length jacket with a reflective stripe around the body and sleeves. He was wearing a sweatshirt or T-shirt with what appeared to be the letters "Un" on it, baggy faded jeans, and white sneakers. Anyone with information is asked to call sheriff's Det. Jim Cavagnaro (727) 582-6200.
CLEARWATER
Scattered debris closed down lanes
Two southbound lanes of U.S. 19 were closed most of Tuesday afternoon because of a truck that broke down, scattering debris across the roadway, officials said. The closure slowed traffic to a crawl between State Road 580 and Drew Street and closed U.S. 19's exit to Drew Street and Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. Traffic still got through in the left-hand lane. Authorities say the truck's frame broke apart about 10:45 a.m. from the weight of the cement blocks it was carrying. At least six cars were damaged, from flat tires to minor front-end damage. No one was injured.
Share your ideas for art displays
The city's Public Art and Design Program will sponsor a public art planning workshop called "Imagine Art Downtown!" from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatic Complex, 900 N Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Led by city public art specialist Christopher Hubbard and cultural affairs manager Margo Walbolt, participants can share ideas to help guide the development of public art displays in the downtown core, including the new Cleveland Street streetscape and the planned downtown boatslips project. The workshop is open to the public. Call (727) 562-4809.