UPDATE: Suspect robs Bank of America in Gulf Gate

Sarasota County Sheriff’s deputies and a SWAT team surrounded an apartment complex in Gulf Gate after 2:30 p.m. yesterday in pursuit of a man suspected of robbing a nearby Bank of America.

Officers arrested 57-year John Samuel Gay more than five hours later after breaching a window, according to a Sheriff’s Office press release.

Gay was one day away from accepting a five-year prison sentence for a Venice robbery and has a criminal history including 14 felony convictions.

Published Wednesday:
After 2:30 p.m. today, Sarasota County sheriff’s deputies responded to a bank robbery at the Bank of America branch south of the intersection of Tamiami Trail and Stickney Point Road, according to Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Sue Kiluk-Erwin.

Deputies have at least one canine unit tracking the suspect, who escaped the area, Kiluk-Erwin said.

This story was updated at 10:40 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, to reflect new information.