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Crowbar robber hits another bank
By CHRIS TISCH © St. Petersburg Times, published April 27, 2001 BELLEAIR BLUFFS -- The most prolific bank robber in the Tampa Bay area struck again Wednesday for the 17th time since his spree began more than two years ago. The Crowbar Robber, a nickname the man earned by using a hammer or crowbar in some of his holdups, robbed the Republic Bank, 401 Indian Rocks Road, about 3 p.m. Wednesday. Pinellas Sheriff's officials say the man now is using a gun. Wearing a mask and gloves, he jumped the bank counter and grabbed cash from two teller stations during the robbery Wednesday, said sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Greg Tita. "He threatened to kill all the employees," Tita said. The string of holdups began in January 1999 in Ellenton in Manatee County, then spread north. He held up banks in St. Petersburg, Dunedin and Sun City Center that year, then hit banks in Tampa, Palm Harbor, Port Richey, Holiday and Seminole last year. The Belleair Bluffs robbery was the third this year; banks in Bradenton and Dunedin also were held up. Tita said the robber may pedal a bicycle to the bank, then watch it for some time before committing the robbery. He may flee on foot. Investigators say the man is always masked and gloved. He barges into banks, then barks orders and death threats that in some cases bring tellers to tears. He usually is in and out of the bank in less than a minute. He usually picks freestanding bank buildings, giving him some isolation from bustling areas. And for some reason -- as was the case with the Belleair Bluffs robbery -- he likes to strike on Wednesday or Thursday. Anyone with information about the Crowbar Robber can call Detective Paul Martin at 582-6305 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-8477 (TIPS). - Staff writer Chris Tisch can be reached at (727) 445-4156.
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From the Times North Pinellas desks |
