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Deputies Seek Suspects In Bank Robberies

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By LISA A. DAVIS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 23, 2007

Pasco County sheriff's deputies are investigating two bank robberies - the county's third and fourth in a week - that occurred within 90 minutes of each other Monday.

About 11:30 a.m., a man entered SunTrust Bank at 2123 U.S. 19 in Holiday, showed a note demanding money and left with an undisclosed amount, according to sheriff's office spokesman Kevin Doll.

At 12:52 p.m., deputies got a call of a similar robbery at Bank of America, 4526 U.S. 19, New Port Richey.

No weapon was seen at either bank, and no one was hurt.

In the SunTrust robbery, the man is described as about 40 years old, 6 feet tall and thin. He wore a blue ball cap, a light-colored shirt and jeans.

But detectives say he might be older. They think the robber is Kenneth Wayne Benzo, 47, the man they suspect in two robberies last week, Doll said.

He was questioned, but not charged, in a heist Oct. 16 at Wachovia, 8994 State Road 52 in Port Richey.

While being questioned, he was arrested in connection with a 2005 home burglary and later posted bail.

Deputies are certain Benzo robbed the Crown Bank at 4714 Mile Stretch Drive in Holiday about 9:45 a.m. Thursday, Doll said.
Surveillance equipment there captured the robber's image. A man with a similar looking face was captured on camera Monday at SunTrust.

The suspect from that robbery might have left in a purple or blue Geo Metro that was last seen heading south on U.S. 19.

The Bank of America robber is described as 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds with a thin build. He has a beard and mustache and was wearing a blue hat, flannel jacket, black and red shirt, jeans and black boots.

It wasn't known whether a car was used at Bank of America.

Doll said a video image captured at Bank of America shows the robber is not the same man who hit SunTrust.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083 or ldavis@tampatrib.com.

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