Bank robber stopped within two hours of crime

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to robbery of Wells Fargo Bank at 6076 North Lockwood Ridge Road yesterday just before 5 p.m.

The Sheriff's Office reports that witnesses described a white male with a tattoo on his neck enter a bank, imply he had a weapon and demand cash. He then walked out of the bank in an unknown direction.

A canvas of the plaza revealed someone matching the suspects description had walked through a restaurant and exited out the back toward a homeless camp. 

He was located a short time later with money from the bank still stuffed in his pockets.

John Velasquez, 58, is charged with bank robbery and is currently being held in jail without bond.

Contact Eddie Kirsch at [email protected].