BRADENTON — A bank is offering a reward in an effort to help police catch a robber who is believed to have hit two area banks in three weeks.
“We’re very aggressive in wanting to solve our robberies. Every time our robberies are solved, we feel like we prevent other robberies,” said Larry Meredith, director of corporate security for Superior Bank in Birmingham, Ala. “We’re trying to get the community involved.”
A Superior Bank location at 2207 Manatee Avenue West was robbed May 5 when a man wearing a baseball cap, navy blue sweatshirt and sunglasses slid a note to the teller demanding money. He was given a dye pack and headed south. A police dog tracked the man but lost the scent about a block away.
Now the bank is making a $1,000 donation to Manatee County Crimestoppers in reward money in hopes of encouraging people to come forward with information about the case. Crimestoppers will make a determination of the reward amount.
Steve Rowland, president of Manatee County Crimestoppers, said from time to time corporations give reward money to Crimestoppers as a donation.
“In essence, they reimburse us,” he said. “It certainly does (help us.) We’re struggling and are in the same boat as the other nonprofits.”
Crimestoppers gets most of its money from a $20 court fee when people are convicted and are ordered to pay fines, Rowland said.
The suspect from the Superior robbery matches the description of a bank robber who hit a First America Bank on Manatee Avenue West on April 14.
“I think in this case he even had on the same clothes,” Meredith said after viewing photos. The suspect in this case is about 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 175 to 180 pounds. He was also wearing blue jean shorts.
The bank puts up reward money after each bank robbery, Meredith said. Employees are advised to tell patrons to remove hats and glasses before making a transaction.
“We try to enforce that the best we can and we have the best camera system available,” he said.
In 2007, there were 15 bank robberies in Manatee County. In 2008, the number of robberies doubled. So far, this year, there have been 15 cases.
Meredith said, he too, has noticed an increase in robberies with their locations. Most of the robberies have occurred in central Florida.
Superior Bank has about 34 locations in Florida.
“It makes us more aware and concentrate on issues we should be spending time on,” he said when discussing safety for employees and patrons.
Anyone with any information about the robber’s identity or whereabouts in this case can contact Bradenton Police Department Detective Dennis Stahley at 932-9327 or remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 by calling Crimestoppers at (866) 634-TIPS (8477).
Beth Burger, criminal justice reporter, can be reached at 708-7919.
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