Press Releases

Same robber strikes twice
February 14, 2009

Two identical robberies remain unsolved – and police say the suspect in both cases is the same man.

There’s an old saying that lightening won’t strike the same place twice – but apparently criminals will. Over the last few months, employees of a local convenience store, attempting to make bank deposits – were robbed at gunpoint twice – at the same place, in the same fashion – and likely, by the same guy.

“I believe that definitely – they’re related," said Detective Nicole Sechrist of the Fort Myers Police Department.

The first incident took place last October, when a 7-11 manager went to the Bank of America on Winkler Avenue to make a cash deposit at the ATM on a Saturday morning – in broad daylight.

When the manager got out of the car, she was immediately approached by a black male, wearing a bandana – who pointed a gun at her head and demanded the cash. She complied, and turned over a bag with more than $17,000.

Just a few months later, detectives say the exact same crime happened again – when someone from the same 7-11 store went to make a deposit at that same ATM on a Saturday morning.

“It appears they were waiting for them to come. As soon as he got there, they could out of the car and he was approached immediately," Sechrist said.

The take the second time around was just under $10,000.

“It’s the same type of situation when they approached him. He demanded the cash, got the bag and fled the scene," Sechrist said.

Surveillance video from the ATM machine captured some images of the robber. Detectives are hopeful someone will be able to identify him and anonymously provide information on his whereabouts.

“We’re thinking there’s some relation to the store – an employee, an ex employee, a friend of an employee – to know what bank they were going to and at that time of day," Sechrist said.

Anyone with information on these two robberies, or any unsolved crime, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 10800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for up to $1,000 in cash rewards. Tips may also be made online at www.swflcrimestoppers.org.