A man accused of robbing a South Howard Avenue bank in Tampa was apprehended a day after police say he used a threatening note to steal an unspecified amount of cash. According to FOX 13 News, the incident occurred on the 600 block of S. Howard Ave on Saturday around 11:30 a.m. Details from Tampa Police revealed Rodney Rios Trujillo, 32, entered the Chase Bank and allegedly claimed to be armed with a gun using his cell phone to communicate the threat to the bank teller.
Trujillo was reportedly given money by the teller, who complied out of fear, before he fled the scene. Surveillance video and witness statements were crucial in helping detectives to quickly identify the suspect. He was found and taken into custody on Sunday in St. Lucie County. Trujillo is now facing a serious charge— one felony count of robbery with a firearm, as Tampa Police stated to FOX 13 News.
During the robbery, Trujillo successfully managed to avoid capture, initially fleeing the scene before officers could arrive. He was seen escaping northbound on a bicycle, according to the initial reports provided by FOX 13 News and WFLA News Channel 8. Police described the suspect as a white male, dressed in a black hat, dark-colored long-sleeve shirt, red shorts, and dark-colored shoes during the time of the robbery.
Tampa police confirmed that no injuries were reported among the bank employees or customers present at the time of the robbery. It was not immediately clear if Trujillo had already secured legal representation or when he would be transferred to Orient Road Jail. Tampa Police Department's swift response to apprehend Trujillo will likely to serve as a deterrent to similar crimes in the future.
