VERO BEACH — The Vero Beach Police Department has called off the search for those involved in the CenterState Bank robbery from Tuesday.
According to Police Chief David Currey, one person has been arrested and another was brought to the Vero Beach Police Department on Tuesday afternoon, where he was questioned and released.
The older black male who was described by witnesses at the scene was initially believed to be an accomplice in the robbery, but police have not filed charges against him at this time.
“No further suspects are being sought at this time. No additional arrests or charges have been filed,” said Public Information Officer Anna Carden in a press release Wednesday.
“We would like to thank our community for cooperation and participation in our efforts to locate the subjects. Vero Beach Police Department commends our officers and detectives for their efficient investigation of this time-sensitive criminal case,” Carden said.
April 8, 10:20 a.m.
VERO BEACH — The second suspect is now in custody after yesterday’s robbery at CenterState Bank.
The male suspect was taken into custody and charges are pending, according to Vero Beach Police spokeswoman Ofc. Anna Carden. She did not identify the man.
This article will be updated when more information becomes available.
April 7, 5:49 p.m.
VERO BEACH — The Vero Beach Police Department Tuesday afternoon released the details of the arrest of 38-year-old Vero Beach resident Amy Lee Bowling, who is accused of robbing the Miracle Mile branch of CenterState Bank.
A second suspect, as well as the money taken from the bank Tuesday morning, are still at large.
“While units were en route, they received information regarding the description of the suspect who was last seen running westbound from the bank,” wrote Lt. Matt Harrelson. “The suspect was described as a white female approximately 30 years old with shoulder length red hair.”
Lt. Harrelson heads up Vero’s Detective Division.
The female suspect was estimated to be 5 feet 6 inches and 175 pounds and was last seen wearing a blue tank top and black shorts.
Vero officers worked with Sheriff’s Office deputies and K-9 units to set up a perimeter around the bank and attempted to locate the suspect.
“While the search of several buildings and the surrounding area was taking place, Vero Beach Police Department Detectives began to interview the tellers from the CenterState Bank,” the press release states. “They learned that the suspect passed a hand written note on a piece of paper from what appeared to be a tablet from an Allstate Insurance office because it had an Allstate emblem on the top of it. They also downloaded the surveillance footage from the incident and began interviewing possible witnesses from other close-by businesses.”
While officers were canvassing buildings in the Miracle Mile business district, “a teller from the PNC bank (958 20th Place) informed Detectives that a white female matching the description of the suspect was inside their lobby at approximately 10 a.m. and was trying to make a withdrawal from an account that did not have any funds in it.”
The teller told police that the suspect produced a Florida driver’s license with the name of Amy Lee Bowling, then asked for the identification back and left the bank.
“Detectives then spoke with a witness located next door at the Allstate Insurance office (947 20th Place). At the Allstate office they were told that a white female (again matching the suspect’s description) came into the office a few minutes after 10 a.m. and was asking for a piece of paper and a pen,” Harrelson wrote. “She was given an Allstate pad of paper and she was observed writing something down before leaving the office a few moments later.”
Police used the Florida Driver’s License data bank to retrieve a photograph of Bowling and, “it appeared to be the same person from the CenterState Bank robbery.”
After responding to several of Bowling’s last-known home addresses, a team of Vero Beach Detectives and Sheriff’s Office Deputies located Bowling at 4353 30th Ave., in Gifford, at 1 p.m. and placed her under arrest.
During Bowling’s transport to the Vero Beach Police Station for questioning, “she admitted to passing the note at the CenterState Bank and stealing the money.”
Bowling’s booking photograph was then placed in a photo line-up and taken to the teller at the PNC Bank as well as the CenterState Bank where, police say, “she was positively identified as the subject who attempted to make a withdrawal at the PNC and the suspect from the subsequent robbery at the CenterState Bank.”
Bowling did not, however, give police the location of the stolen money and, as of 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, it has not been located.
“She then told Detectives that she had consumed 50 Xanax prior to her arrest and she was then taken to the Indian River Medical Center for clearance prior to her transport to the Indian River County Jail where she will await first appearance and her bond amount set,” Lt. Harrelson wrote.
Authorities across the county are still searching for a second suspect, described as a thin, older black male.
April 7, 4:57 p.m.
GIFFORD — Authorities have arrested one of the bank robbers involved in this morning’s robbery at CenterState Bank in Vero Beach.
The female has been taken into custody in Gifford around 1:15 p.m., according to authorities. They are still searching for the male involved in the robbery.
Around 2:45 p.m. the suspect was taken from the Vero Beach Police Station to the hospital for medical attention by ambulance, according to police.
Vero Police have not released her identity. The location of the other suspect is unknown at this time.
This artciale will be updated when more information is released.
VERO BEACH — Authorities are investigating a bank robbery that happened Tuesday morning at CenterState Bank in Vero Beach.
The bank, located at 855 21st St., was robbed at 10:17 a.m., according to authorities. They have not said if any amount of money was taken.
Police are looking for a white female, in her mid 30s, heavyset, around 5 feet tall, with reddish/blonde hair, last seen wearing a black tank top and royal blue shorts.
She was seen with an older black male, approximately 6 feet tall, skinny, salt and pepper hair, wearing an orange Harvest Outreach shirt. The female may have changed clothing after the last seen description.
The suspects fled in the westbound direction.
The female suspect was said to be in the nearby PNC Bank earlier, according to authorities.
The 2001 Building was “locked down” to search for the suspects, according to authorities. Abandoned office buildings across from PNC Bank are also being searched.
Anyone with any information on the suspects is encouraged to dial 911 immediately or contact the Vero Beach Police Department at (772) 978-4600. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may also contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-TIPS (1-800-273-8477) to relay any information relevant to this investigation.
This article will be update when more information becomes available.