ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — A TD Bank on East Altamonte Springs Drive was robbed Thursday, and police said a dye pack in the bag of cash the robber took exploded.
Officers said a man walked into the bank and threatened to shoot everyone inside.
Police said a bank employee handed over the cash, but as soon as the man walked out, the dye pack went off.
After Channel 9 aired surveillance video of the robber on Eyewitness News at Noon, a woman called the station to say she knows the man.
"As soon as I seen the picture I was like, 'Oh, my God, that's Don," the woman, who did not want to be identified, said.
The man taken into custody was identified as Don Easter.
Officers said they captured the suspect around 1 p.m. at the Wawa convenience store on State Route 17-92 in Winter Park -- the location the woman told police they might be able to find him.
"The fact of the matter is without the relationship there, the media might not be able to help us solve those crimes like we did today," Rob Pelton, of the Altamonte Springs Police Department, said.
Police said before they caught up with Easter at the Wawa, they believe he robbed a Seacoast Bank in Maitland.
"Did you ever think you'd be the one to solve a bank robbery?" Ray asked the Channel 9 caller.
"No, and I was just saying I can't believe I was the one to solve a bank-robber crime. I never in my life thought I'd be the one to do that," she said.
Police said they believe Easter could be tied to several unsolved cases being handled by the FBI. They said they are appreciative for the call from the Channel 9 viewer.
"I can just say, if you see something happen on TV and you know who it is, go ahead and call it in. It might be something good," the woman said.
WFTV
