Man, 81, Robbed: Can You ID The Suspect?

LARGO, FL — The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help identifying a suspect accused of robbing an 81-year-old man in unincorporated Largo on Monday.

According to the agency, the victim and his wife went to the Optical Outlet, 3665 East Bay Drive, around 2:40 p.m. May 22 for an appointment. After waiting with his wife for a while, the 81-year-old man walked across the street to a SunTrust bank and made a cash withdrawal. Detectives say the elderly man put an envelope with the money he had just taken out of the bank in his front left shirt pocket and then returned to the Optical Outlet.

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While the man was in the lobby, waiting for his wife to finish up her appointment, a man in his 20s entered the office. The newcomer sat down while the elderly man paced for a bit, an email from the sheriff’s office said.

When the victim sat down, the younger man reached over and swiped the envelope out of the elderly man’s pocket. He then took off from the office on foot, the email added.

The accused robber authorities are looking for is described as a white male in his early 20s. He stands about 6 feet tall and weighs an estimated 170 pounds. Deputies say he has a thin build, light hair and a light skin tone. He was wearing tan cargo shorts, a blue T-shirt, black tennis shoes, black shin-high socks and a black-and-silver cap, which may have been a Chicago Bulls cap.

Anyone who can identify the suspect is asked to call Detective J. Upton at 727-582-6200. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-873-TIPS or by going online to www.crimestoppersofpinellas.org.

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Screenshot and video courtesy of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office