Suspect in armed robberies of 2 Manatee businesses to face local charges after crime spree leads to arrest in Jacksonville

MANATEE -- The suspect in the armed robbery of two Manatee County businesses will face local charges after a crime spree led to his arrest in Jacksonville, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Detectives have arrest warrants for James Bruce Miller, 30, charging him with armed robbery in connection with the robberies at a Taco Bell and the Aspen Dental on Nov. 23, according to a news release. Miller was arrested in Jacksonville and charged with committing a string on armed robberies and a carjacking in Brevard County on Nov. 27 and 28.

In Manatee County, the first armed robbery he is charged with took place at 10:37 a.m. Nov. 23 at Aspen Dental, 5231 University Parkway when Miller reportedly entered the dental office, pointed a handgun at the two receptionists and demanded their wallets. The receptionists ran away towards the back offices, deputies reported.

Miller then turned to a man in the reception area and demanded his wallet, according to reports. After the man handed Miller his wallet, Miller fled the office.

Miller is facing charges for second armed robbery that took place moments later. At 10:44 a.m., Miller reportedly walked into a Taco Bell located at 8405 Lockwood Ridge Road, walked to the counter, brandished a firearm and demanded the money from the register.

He also demanded money from the three employees but only one reportedly had a wallet. That employee threw the wallet on the counter as another employee opened the register. Miller reached over the counter, retrieved the cash tray from within the register, set it on the counter, and pulled the currency out of it, according to reports.

Miller reportedly then ran out the door heading south.

This story was originally published December 3, 2015 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Suspect in armed robberies of 2 Manatee businesses to face local charges after crime spree leads to arrest in Jacksonville ."