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published: Friday, June 12, 2009
Same bank, same robber? Police say yes
ROXANNE BROWN
Staff Writer
CLERMONT -- The Bank of America in Four Corners was robbed by the same woman investigators believe may have pulled off a similar heist at the same branch Feb. 11.
The robbery suspect, identified as a black female wearing a white hat, red shirt and red pants, is at large and is also suspected of a bank robbery at another a Bank of America near the Orlando airport on Feb. 12.
According to witnesses, the suspect is about 5-foot-7 and weighs about 120 pounds.
A press release said the LCSO received an alarm from the Bank of America at 518 U.S. Highway 27 in the Four Corners area of Clermont.
Responding deputies learned that the suspect had entered the bank and presented a bank teller with a note implying a weapon. No weapon was displayed.
The suspect then obtained an undisclosed amount of cash and fled northbound on foot before deputies, detectives, aviation and K-9 units arrived.
No injuries were reported.
Sgt. John Herrell of the Lake County Sheriff's Office said witnesses told detective they saw the suspect run out of the bank on foot and through a nearby Long John Silvers parking lot and into the Burger King parking lot.
Herrell said investigators believe the suspect eventually left in an unknown vehicle, although no witness saw her getting into one.
In the earlier Clermont robbery, the robber was covered up so well that investigators at first couldn't identify the person's gender.
A still shot of the suspect from the bank's security camera is on record from Monday's robbery, as well as from the other two robberies in February, all of which remain under investigation.
Herrell said from the still shots and witness accounts, investigators are confident the suspect is a woman.
Herrell said the agency is working with other agencies in the ongoing investigations.
"We are definitely working with Orange County authorities on this and sharing the information with other law enforcement in surrounding areas in hopes of identifying the person," Herrell said.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at (352) 343-9500 or CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS.
