Full Breakdown
Florida Bank Robberies Linked to Former Convict David Sartin Jr.
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Core Incident: Two Masked Heists in Pinellas County
On August 24, a man entered Valley Bank at 1125 East Bay Drive in Largo wearing a straw hat, dark sports jacket, gloves, a black umbrella and a prosthetic “old man” mask. He demanded cash without dye packs and left with approximately $2,900. After wedging a yellow wet-floor sign between the doors, he fled on a bicycle and later retrieved a black Toyota FJ-Cruiser parked nearby.
A second robbery on September 15 at Truist Bank, 6300 Central Avenue in St. Peterburg, involved the same mask and a note demanding cash without dye packs. He departed with roughly $2,554. Surveillance captured the same vehicle traveling from a residence to the bank, and investigators observed the suspect spray-painting the vehicle’s roof black the following day.
Background & Context
David Sartin Jr., 40, of St. Peterburg, has a record of bank-related offenses, including an attempted robbery in Mississippi (2006) and five Texas bank robberies in 2016. He was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison on February 7, 2018 and began supervised release on May 16, 2025. The Florida incidents occurred during that supervised release.
Timeline
- August 24 – Valley Bank robbery, Largo.
- September 15 – Truist Bank robbery, St. Peterburg.
- September 16 – Suspect alters Toyota’s roof color.
- September 18 – Federal arrest warrant issued.
- September 19 – Arrest in St. Peterburg.
- September 25 – Search of storage unit yields masks, clothing, fake handgun.
- October 14 – FBI affidavit filed.
- October 16 – U.S. Attorney’s Office announces two bank-robbery charges.
Data & Statistics
- Stolen cash: ? $2,900 (Largo) and ? $2,554 (St. Peterburg).
- Disguise: prosthetic “old man” mask, glasses, gloves, assorted clothing.
- Getaway: bicycle to approach each bank; Toyota FJ-Cruiser for transport, later spray-painted.
- Potential penalty: up to 20 years in federal prison per count.
Official Statements & Responses
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida said Sartin faces a maximum of 20 years per robbery count if convicted. An FBI affidavit noted the consistent use of the elderly-man mask and detailed the vehicle’s movements captured by nearby surveillance cameras.
On-the-Ground Reports
One teller recalled the robber’s parting remark, “Until we meet again,” after handing over the cash. Employees from the Largo robbery later identified the suspect in photographs from the St. Peterburg incident, confirming the same individual was involved.