Bank Robber Strikes Chase in Brandon, SunTrust in Seffner (Photos)

A man with a goatee is wanted in the robberies of two banks Jan. 9, starting with a Chase bank in Brandon and ending with the SunTrust bank at 701 West Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Seffner.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's report, the first robbery occurred at around 11:48 a.m., when the thief entered the Chase branch at 10943 Causeway Blvd. and gave the teller a note demanding money.

"The teller complied and after receiving an undisclosed amount of currency, the suspect fled," the report notes.

Then, at around 12:36 p.m., the same robber is believed to have robbed the SunTrust bank in Seffner, again fleeing on foot.

The robber is described as follows:

• Black male, age 30 to 35, standing 5-foot-11 to 6 feet and weighing 180 to 200 pounds, with a goatee.

• Wearing a dress shirt with teal green, blue and white stripes; dark-colored pants with a white strip on the legs; black shoes; and a black ball wap "with the writing to the effect of 'Poker Room.' "

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Help Catch A Thief

• Have a tip to share to help detectives solve these cases?

• Call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200.

• To be eligible for a cash reward, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477).

• Report anonymously online at Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay. Or, text "CSTB [and your tip] to C-R-I-M-E-S (274637). 

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