Armed Bank Robbery Arrest

Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
- Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.)
Investigation Operations Bureau
- Robbery & Homicide Unit

Anquan DeWayne Walters (Suspect- Arrested)
DOB: 04/10/1981
Address: 1873 Stancel Drive, Clearwater
Vehicle: 1998 Toyota Camry
Charges: One count of Armed Robbery, one count of Fleeing and Eluding Law Enforcement, one count of Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Bodily Injury and one count of Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Property Damage.

Corporal Phillip Love (Driver- Uninjured)
Age: 53
Date of Hire: 09/09/2013
Vehicle: 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe

Caroline Kahael (Driver- Injured)
DOB: 12/20/1965
Vehicle: 2009 Kia Sportage

Randy Donaldson (Driver- Uninjured)
DOB: 10/01/1955
Vehicle: 2006 GMC Yukon

Carolene Donaldson (Passenger- Uninjured)
DOB: 08/28/1953
Vehicle: 2006 GMC Yukon

What:
Detectives assigned to the Robbery/ Homicide Unit have arrested an armed bank robbery suspect after the man lead deputies on a pursuit and crashed his car in unincorporated Clearwater.  

When:
The crime occurred at about 3:52 p.m. on Thursday, May 3, 2018.

Where:
The crime occurred at the Hancock Bank located at 28163 U.S. Highway 19 North, suite #101, in unincorporated Clearwater.

The suspect crashed his vehicle near the intersection of Curlew Road and Countryside Boulevard.

Why/How:
Detectives assigned to the Robbery/ Homicide Unit have arrested an armed bank robbery suspect after the man lead deputies on a pursuit and crashed his car in unincorporated Clearwater. 

According to detectives, at about 3:52 p.m. on May 3, 2018, deputies were called to the Hancock Bank located at 28163 U.S. Highway 19 North, regarding a report of an armed bank robbery in progress.

Detectives say the suspect, 37-year-old Anquan Walters, walked into the Hancock Bank wearing long pants, a long sleeve shirt, gloves, glasses with a fake beard and panty hose over his head.

Witnesses told investigators that Walters was carrying a black handgun when he jumped over the counter, he ordered people to the ground and demanded money.

Walters was given an undisclosed amount of cash and he exited the bank.

Detectives say Walters got into a 1998 Toyota Camry and fled northbound on U.S. Highway 19.

As Walters was fleeing from the bank, multiple dye packs exploded and Walters started throwing cash out of the window of the Camry, onto U.S. Highway 19 North.

Responding deputies spotted Walter’s Camry traveling northbound towards the intersection of U.S. Highway 19 and Curlew Road. Deputies tried stopping Walters but he fled in the Camry at a high rate of speed, eastbound on Curlew Road from U.S. Highway 19 North.

Deputies initiated a vehicle pursuit and successfully deployed a tire deflation device that deflated the tires on Walter’s Camry as he approached Countryside Boulevard.

Detectives say Walters lost control of the Camry and crashed into a 2009 Kia Sportage being driven 52-year-old Caroline Kahael, and a 2006 GMC Yukon being driven by 62-year-old Randy Donaldson. Kahael and Donaldson were both stopped at the intersection of Curlew Road and Countryside Boulevard.

Detectives say Corporal Phillip Love was pursuing Walter’s Camry at the time of the crash. Corporal Love was unable to stop his marked 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe cruiser before crashing into Walter’s Camry at the intersection. 

Walters abandoned the damaged Camry and fled on foot northbound into a nearby apartment complex. Deputies chased Walters on foot and apprehended him near 34601 Countryside Boulevard.

Detectives say Walter’s clothes were covered in colored dye as a result of the bank’s dye pack exploding.

Kahael was transported to Mease Countryside Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

No other injuries were reported.

Detectives arrested Walters and transported him to the Pinellas County Jail.

Walters was charged with one count of Armed Robbery, one count of Fleeing and Eluding Law Enforcement, one count of Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Bodily Injury and one count of Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Property Damage.

The investigation continues.

Posted by Thursday, May 3, 2018 10:25:00 PM Categories: Crimes Against Persons

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