Same gunman may have robbed 2 businesses in Manatee

MANATEE -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is investigating two armed robberies late Monday morning they believe are connected.

The first incident took place AT 10:37 a.m. Monday at Aspen Dental, 5231 University Pkwy. According to a release, a suspect entered the dental office, pointed a handgun at two receptionists and demanded their wallets. Deputies said the receptionists ran away toward the back offices.

The suspect then turned to a gentleman sitting in the reception area and demanded his wallet. He handed the suspect his wallet, according to the report.

According to the sheriff's office, the suspect then fled out the front door.

No one was injured.

The suspect was described as a male in his 20s, wearing a long-sleeve blue shirt, blue jeans and black shoes. The suspect was reportedly armed with a small black semiautomatic pistol.

"Detectives believe the two are connected," Manatee County Sheriff's Office spokesman Dave Bristow emailed to members of the press shortly after 2:30 p.m. Monday.

The second incident took place minutes later at 10:44 a.m. at Taco Bell, 8405 Lockwood Ridge Road. A release reported a man in his 20s entered the restaurant, walked to the counter holding a firearm and demanded money from the register. The suspect also demanded money from three employees, but only one had his wallet, according to the release.

Deputies said an employee opened the register and the suspect reached over the counter, took the cash tray from the register and pulled the money from it. One Taco Bell employee threw his wallet on the counter at the same time. The suspect took the wallet and left out of the south doors, the sheriff's office reported.

The suspect was described as having short blond hair and dressed in a long-sleeve blue Echo Unlimited shirt, blue jeans, and black shoes. He was also armed with a small black semiautomatic pistol and drove an older model dark blue Volvo, possibly a convertible. It is unknown if the vehicle had two or four doors.

This story was originally published November 23, 2015 at 5:36 PM with the headline "Same gunman may have robbed 2 businesses in Manatee ."