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Deputies Accuse Man of Robbing Bank in Belleair Bluffs

Kelly S. Ford | Pinellas Sheriff | Crime

The robbery happened Monday (May 8) in Belleair Bluffs. The man was arrested Thursday (May 11) in St. Petersburg.

PINELLAS COUNTY – Deputies say they have found the man who robbed the NorthStar bank in Belleair Bluffs on Monday (May 8).

Kelly Smith Ford, 56, of St. Petersburg, is charged with one count each of robbery and planting a hoax bomb.

Ford entered the NorthStar Bank, 715 Indian Rocks Road, in Belleair Bluffs, at about 2:19 p.m., according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. Once inside, deputies said he walked up to the teller and demanded cash. He was given an undisclosed amount of cash. Before leaving the bank, deputies said, he said, “I left something for you.” Employees told deputies he left a small bag by the front door.

The bank was evacuated and the Tampa police bomb squad responded. There was no destructive device found in the bag.

Deputies said they found the 2006 Chevrolet pickup truck that was suspected to have been used in the bank robbery. They later conducted a traffic stop in St. Petersburg and took Ford to be interviewed. He was then arrested.

For information about the Pinellas sheriff, go to pcsoweb.com.

Pinellas Sheriff | Bank Robbery | Crime | Arrests | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter

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