Expand / Collapse search
☰
Hurricane Warning
is in effect, Highlands County, DeSoto County, Hardee County, Inland Sarasota County, Coastal Sarasota County, Inland Manatee County, Coastal Manatee County, Polk County, Inland Hillsborough County, Coastal Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Inland Pasco County, Coastal Pasco, Sumter County, Inland Hernando County, Coastal Hernando County, Inland Citrus County, Coastal Citrus County, Coastal waters from Tarpon Springs to Suwannee River FL out 20 NM, Tampa Bay waters, Coastal waters from Englewood to Tarpon Springs FL out 20 NM
9
Storm Surge Warning
is in effect, Coastal Sarasota County, Coastal Manatee County, Coastal Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Coastal Pasco
Flash Flood Warning
until THU 4:00 AM EDT, Sumter County, Polk County, Pinellas County, Pasco County, Hillsborough County, Hernando County
Flash Flood Warning
until THU 2:45 AM EDT, Sumter County, Polk County, Pinellas County, Pasco County, Manatee County, Hillsborough County, Hernando County, Citrus County
Flash Flood Warning
until THU 2:30 AM EDT, Pinellas County, Manatee County, Hillsborough County
River Flood Warning
until FRI 4:10 PM EDT, Manatee County
River Flood Warning
is in effect, Manatee County, Sumter County, Pasco County, Pasco County, Sarasota County, Hillsborough County, DeSoto County, DeSoto County, Hardee County, Hillsborough County, Citrus County, Pasco County, Hernando County, Polk County, Hillsborough County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County
Flood Watch
until THU 8:00 PM EDT, Inland Sarasota County, Inland Manatee County, Inland Hillsborough County, Inland Pasco County, Inland Hernando County, Inland Citrus County
Tropical Weather Statement
is in effect, Inland Sarasota County, Inland Manatee County, Inland Hillsborough County, Inland Pasco County, Inland Hernando County, Inland Citrus County, Coastal Sarasota County, Coastal Manatee County, Coastal Hillsborough County, Coastal Pasco, Coastal Hernando County, Coastal Citrus County, DeSoto County, Highlands County, Hardee County, Polk County, Pinellas County, Sumter County

Tampa police arrest woman accused of robbing bank

By FOX 13 News Staff
Published  September 18, 2024 10:56am EDT
Tampa
FOX 13 News

TAMPA, Fla. - A woman accused of robbing a Tampa bank on Tuesday has been arrested. 

Police say Maria Montesino, 42, went into Grow Financial Federal Credit Union located in the 1700 block of N. Oregon Avenue shortly after 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday. 

READ: Mother of teen killed in Citrus Park mall shooting looking for answers: 'He didn't deserve this'

According to the Tampa Police Department, Montesino told a teller that there was a man outside the bank with a bomb, and he was forcing her to rob the facility. Police say Montesino added that the bomb would go off if the teller did not give her money. 

Tampa police say the suspect claimed a man outside the bank was forcing her to rob it, but they found no evidence to support that claim. Images are courtesy of the Tampa Police Department.

Tampa police say the suspect claimed a man outside the bank was forcing her to rob it, but they found no evidence to support that claim. Images are courtesy of the Tampa Police Department. 

Police say the teller feared for her life and gave Montesino money. 

Montesino ran away, but police say they found her about two hours later at a nearby apartment complex and took her into custody. 

READ: Grady Judd: Over 100 suspects arrested, 57 guns seized during violent gang investigation

Detectives said that they did not find any evidence that supported Montesino’s claim that there was another person involved who had an explosive device. 

Courtesy: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

She was arrested and charged with three felonies, including robbery of more than $750 but less than $20K, false report of a bomb, explosive, or weapon of mass destruction, and threatening to discharge a destructive device. 

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: