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Grand Jury Charges Man In Robberies

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By ELAINE SILVESTRINI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 18, 2008

TAMPA - Jeffrey Gordon Merritt, who officials said was captured fleeing a bank robbery in Lithia last month, was indicted today on four federal bank robbery charges.

Merritt, 44, of Tampa, was placed under citizens arrest by a waitress in a nearby coffee shop as he ran away from the Valrico State Bank, witnesses said.

At the time of his arrest, investigators said he told them he was responsible for two additional bank robberies in Pinellas County.

Today, a federal grand jury charged him in the Valrico and Pinellas robberies, and an additional heist in Pasco County:

A Wachovia Bank in Pasco County on Aug. 26. The indictment is not any more specific about the location of the bank, but on that date, authorities reported that the Wachovia Bank at 8740 Mitchell Blvd., in New Port Richey, was robbed. The suspect was described as a white man in his 50s,about 5 feet 5 inches tall, 200 pounds, with short hair and bad teeth.

Andersen Bank, 3412 Eastlake Road in Palm Harbor on Sept. 16

Fifth Third Bank, 1703 McMullen Booth Road in Safety Harbor on Sept. 27

Valrico State Bank on Oct. 3

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