Crime & Safety
Bank Robbery Suspect Can't Find Ride, Quickly Caught: Pasco County Sheriff's Office
New Port Richey hold-up successful…until suspect reportedly attempted to flee and couldn't find a willing driver.

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — A Pasco County Sheriff's sergeant captured a bank robbery suspect Tuesday afternoon, according to a statement.
The suspect has been identified as Elias Chapanoff, 53.
Deputies responded to the bank robbery Tuesday afternoon at the Wells Fargo at 6013 SR-54 in New Port Richey.
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Chapanoff allegedly entered the Wells Fargo and started yelling and acting as if he had a gun in his shirt, according to Amy Marinec, a Pasco Sheriff's spokesperson.
After obtaining an unknown amount of cash, Capanoff allegedly fled the bank. He reportedly went up to a motorist and asked her to "get him out of here," according to Marinec.
Find out what's happening in New Port Richeyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The woman rolled up her window and Chapanoff went to a second car, where he prevented the victims from shutting their doors. He allegedly threatened them with a gun and told them they were going to give him a ride.
Deputies were arriving at approximately the same time. The Pasco sergeant located Chapanoff and took him into custody after a short foot pursuit.
Image provided by Pasco County Sheriff's Office.
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