Suspect arrested after Bradenton bank robbery, Manatee deputies say
Deputies arrested a 60-year-old man after a Friday morning bank robbery in Bradenton, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said.
Joel Bales is facing a charge of robbery after detectives say he held up the Wells Fargo branch at 2901 53rd Ave. E. Surveillance cameras at the bank appeared to capture the incident.
The sheriff’s office said Bales entered the bank just before 11 a.m., placed a bucket hat on the counter and told a teller, “This is no joke, this is a robbery, give me all your money and no dye pack.” The teller handed over an undisclosed amount of cash.
Deputies said Bales fled in a white van and drove south on U.S. 301. Detectives identified Bales and his vehicle, then alerted the Sarasota Police Department. Sarasota officers found the van in the 1700 block of Washington Boulevard and held Bales until Manatee County deputies arrived.
Bales will be booked into the Sarasota County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office.
Detectives believe Bales acted alone, and all of the stolen money was recovered, the sheriff’s office said.
No injuries were reported, sheriff’s office spokesperson Randy Warren said.
This story was originally published June 26, 2026 at 1:53 PM.
