LAKE COUNTY, Fla.,None — Detectives in Lady Lake are searching for a man who they say is a suspected serial bank robber.
Fruitland Park police said a man robbed a bank last week and on Monday, Lady Lake police said a man robbed a SunTrust bank.
Police said they don't know who the man is, but investigators said they are confident that the clear images taken by surveillance cameras at the Fruitland Park BB&T and the SunTrust bank only 10 minutes up the road will be enough to identify the robber.
The suspect was caught on camera at the SunTrust Bank as he handed the teller a note telling her he had a weapon and would use it if necessary.
Police said the robbery could be similar to the BB&T hold up in Fruitland Park last week and police said it could be the same suspect.
"Do you think this is the same guy?" asked WFTV reporter Melonie Holt.
"I truly do. I truly do," said Chief Ed Nathanson.
Police said the suspect left the robbery on foot. Investigators were able to pick up a trail outside of the bank, but that quickly disappeared. Police said they don't know if the suspect had a get-away car waiting nearby.
He got away with an undisclosed amount of cash and Nathanson said, when the suspect is located he will likely be charged with armed robbery in both the Lady Lake and Fruitland Park cases.
"Now, he has two police departments on his butt," said Larry Hill, a Lady Lake resident.
Fruitland Park and Lady Lake investigators are collaborating in an effort to identify the suspect and make an arrest.
"As long as citizens step up, we'll take care of it," said Hill.
The Lady Lake police chief said the same suspect may be linked to some other Lake County robberies. So, investigators with the sheriff's office will also be brought in to determine what other crimes the suspect may have committed.
WFTV
