Lakeland robbery suspect may have targeted at least two banks
LAKELAND, Fla. (FOX 13) - Polk County deputies are searching for a bank robbery suspect who possibly targeted two banks, they said.
Investigators said the unknown man robbed a Fifth Third Bank around noon Thursday. The bank is located at 435 Combee Road South in Lakeland. They said he approached a clerk, showed a not and demanded cash. The clerk handed the suspect money.
It appears the suspect entered and exited a Chevrolet Cruze, they said, possibly gold in color.
Detectives believe he is the same suspect who targeted a Chase Bank on May 25. The bank is located at 5555 Walt Loop Road in Lakeland. They said the suspect entered the bank two minutes before closing time, provided hand-written note to the clerk, and told the clerk not to look at him. He asked for money, detectives said, and the clerk handed him an undisclosed amount of money.
Officials said he exited the bank and ran into a light-colored – possible a gold or beige – Chevrolet Cruze. The vehicle was seen heading south through the Plantation Plaza to the exit at Old Combee Road.
The suspect is described as a white male in his late 30s or early 40s. He had a dark goatee and is about 5’7 feet tall and medium build. During the Fifth Third Bank robbery, the suspect was seen wearing a black ball cap, large tan-framed sunglasses with black lenses, a long-sleeve black shirt, blue denim jeans with rips in the left knee and right thigh areas, and dark shoes with white soles.
Anyone with information on the suspect’s identity and whereabouts is asked to call Detective Daniel Grant at 863-298-6200. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Heartland Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-226-8477 or visiting the website: www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com.