57-Year-Old Man Accused Of 2 Bradenton Bank Robberies

BRADENTON, FL -- A 57-year-old man has been accused of robbing two banks in the Bradenton area following a wild police chase that began with the robbery of a Wells Fargo branch on Lakeland Ranch Boulevard and ended with a car crash along busy Interstate 75, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Randy S. Parent was charged with unarmed robbery, fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer at high speed and reckless driving, the sheriff's office said.

Parent allegedly robbed the Wells Fargo around 2:20 p.m. on Tuesday. The bank is located at 1815 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. He was also believed to be responsible for the March 27 robbery of Bank OKZ at 6000 State Road 70 E.

Deputies spotted the alleged getaway car from the Wells Fargo robbery traveling west on State Road 64 E just east of Heritage Green Way.

"The patrol unit attempted to do a traffic stop," according to the sheriff's office. "The vehicle did not stop and proceeded onto I-75 northbound. A pursuit was initiated. The suspect crossed the median and crashed onto the driver’s side of a vehicle which was travelling southbound on I-75."

The sheriff's office said that Parent was ordered get out of the vehicle multiple times but refused.

"K-9 was deployed and engaged the suspect on the left thigh," the sheriff's office explained. "He was taken into custody and transported to an area hospital by EMS with minor injuries."

The person in the other vehicle suffered minor cuts and bruises, but refused medical attention, according to the sheriff's office.

In the first robbery, Parent allegedly fled along State Road 70 and got away.

"The suspect entered the bank and handed the teller a note implying he had a gun," said a spokesperson for the sheriff's office with respect to Bank OKZ. "No weapon was seen."