WC Bank Burglarized During Dec. 24 Spree

It’s the season of giving, but one pink-gloved man thinks otherwise.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), between the hours of 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. on December 24, an unidentified black male (photo), wearing pink gloves, a white, hooded sweatshirt and a dark colored mask smashed a window at the Heritage Bank on S.R. 54. PCSO reports that the burglar pried open a cabinet once inside, but no money was taken.

That same evening, the Tampa Police Department (TPD) reports that the Bank of Tampa, located on Amberly Dr. in Tampa Palms, also was burglarized between the same hours on Christmas Eve. Responding officers found a broken lobby window, but discovered no one inside. No money was reported stolen.

Authorities believe that the same suspect is responsible for these two bank burglaries, as well as the burglary of a Bay City Bank on December 22 in Lutz, four bank burglaries in Hernando County and two more bank burglaries in Brooksville. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), PCSO, TPD, Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and Brooksville Police Department are all working together to find the suspect.

“The suspect is still unknown, and still at large,” says Kevin Doll, a spokesperson for PCSO.

The suspect is believed to be between 5’8”-5’10” in height and between 17 and 25 years of age. A TPD media release states that a gold Saturn Ion also was seen in the teller lane of the Bank of Tampa during the burglary and “is most likely involved.”

Anyone with any information about the identity or whereabouts of the suspect is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477), report anonymously online at CrimeStoppersTB.com or text “CSTB plus your tip” to C-R-I-M-E-S (274637). No further info was available at our press time.