At approximately 7:12 a.m., the bank manager was arriving to work to open the bank. As he approached the front door, the suspect who was hiding around the corner jumped out and implied he had a gun. He told the bank manager to open the door and they both went inside the bank. The bank manager hit a silent alarm button notifying police of the robbery.
Officers arrived within minutes. Their arrival scared the suspect and he ran out the back door without any money. Rapid Offender Control (ROC) and patrol officers set up a perimeter to search for the suspect. Traffic on and off of Harbour Island is restricted while they search for the suspect.
They have not located the suspect at this time. A description, pictures and/or video will be available before noon.
Anyone with information on this suspect are asked to call the Tampa Police Department at 813-242-3800 or call Crime Stoppers at 888-876-TIPS
________________________
Detectives are investigating a bank robbery that just occurred at the Sun Trust Bank at 8005 Harbour Island Boulevard. They are searching for the suspect. No one was injured. Additional details will be released when they are available.
No one can enter or leave Harbour Island as Tampa police search for a bank robber, police said.
Police shut down traffic onto and off of the island after reports of a robbery at SunTrust Bank, 800 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa police said.
Police are bringing in K-9 units and marine units to help with the search.