Arrest in Largo Bank Robbery

A 42-year-old man faces charges of Armed Bank Robbery and Placing a Hoax Bomb, in connection to the robbery of the Fifth Third Bank, 1698 Missouri Ave., in Largo.

Jerome Walker was arrested Friday afternoon on Drew Street in Clearwater.  Clearwater Police made the arrest, with assistance from Largo Police detectives.

The suspect was spotted driving his truck Friday, at which time officers pulled over the vehicle.

Investigators said that they were able to positively identify Walker as a suspect, after forensic analysis and investigation following the June 3 robbery.

According to investigators, the suspect had entered the bank at 1698 Missouri Ave. carrying a backpack. He allegedly told a teller that it contained a bomb. After the teller handed over an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspect fled on a bicycle, leaving behind the backpack.

The bank was evacuated. The Tampa Bomb Squad responded and determined that the backpack did not contain any explosives.

After investigating tips from the community, Largo Police detectives identified Walker as a "person of interest" in this case.  

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