Deputies investigating bank robbery along State Road 70

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a bank robbery at a Bradenton Bank of the Ozarks location Wednesday afternoon and is looking for the man they say is responsible.

Deputies said a man went into the Bank OZK, formerly known as Bank of the Ozarks, in the 6000 block of State Road 70 around noon, demanded money and handed a note implying he had a gun to the teller, according to the sheriff’s office. However, no weapon was seen.

The teller complied with the man’s demands. The man then left the bank and was last seen going east on State Road 70. It’s possible the man went south, according to the sheriff’s office.

The man was described as being in his 50s with medium brown and gray hair pulled back into a ponytail, wearing a black jacked, blue jeans and glasses, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies continue to search for him.

When a Bradenton Herald reporter called the bank, an employee who answered the phone declined to comment and hung up.

A sign on the bank’s door said the branch was temporarily closed due to an emergency.

This is a developing story. It will be updated as more information becomes available.

This story was originally published March 27, 2019 at 2:14 PM.