Alleged Bradenton Bank Robber With Knife Caught Minutes Later

Deputies apprehended a man Monday who they say minutes earlier robbed a Bradenton bank while armed with a large knife.

The man parked his car in a handicapped parking spot in front of the Bank of America, 3401 Cortez Rd. W., around 11:03 a.m., the Manatee County Sheriff's Office reports. He entered and informed tellers he was robbing the bank, showing them a large knife that had been partially concealed at his side, according to the report.

The man demanded money and was handed over a small sum, authorities said. No one was injured.

A witness who works for the bank's security service called in the robbery, then began discretely following behind the man's getaway car, the sheriff's office said.

At 11:12 a.m., the man, identified as 31-year-old Brenan Cole Fountain of Bradenton, was pulled over in the 4600 block of 43rd Avenue West and arrested at the scene. Fountain's car and weapon were confiscated, along with an undisclosed amount of money.

Fountain is charged with armed robbery, authorities said.

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