Police search for suspect of armed robbery at Chase Bank in Fort Myers

Writer: Derrick Shaw
Published: Updated:
Credit: WINK News.

A man with a gun is on the run after police say he held up a bank. Neighbors we spoke to said they are taking extra precautions until the suspect is off their streets. They say they’re worried he will do anything to hide out and avoid arrest.

Fort Myers Police Department responded to an armed robbery at a Chase Bank branch in Fort Myers Friday night.

Credit: WINK News.

Police had yellow tape completely surrounding the bank along the 1400 block of Colonial Boulevard at the intersection with Lazio Way.

“I have a buddy that works here,” Richard Betancourt said. “I’ve been messaging him to see if he’s busy or if he’s actually involved, and he hasn’t called me back.”

According to FMPD, a male suspect wearing a hat and sunglasses fled the bank around 6 p.m. after he demanded money from employees and showed them he was armed with a gun. He fled on foot in an unknown direction.

No one was injured during the armed robbery.

Neighbor Renae Corbi has lived near the scene for a couple months. She said it’s not something she is used to seeing minutes from home.

“It’s usually very quiet here at night,” Corbi said. “I usually don’t see anything else going on.”

The news of the robbery has made neighbors such as Corbi more anxious.

“They’re still looking for the guy, so, like I said to my friend, we should just Lock the garage door, lock the house door,” Corbi said. “Because you just never know if someone is going to come and hide.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact FMPD Detective Lesa Breneman at (239) 321-7811, email lbreneman@fmpolice.com or call 911.

Tips can also be submitted on the new TRUEBLUE app that is free and available for download on the iOS App Store and Google Play Marketplace or call SWFL Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.