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Robbery Suspect Jumped Counter, Deputies Say

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 16, 2008

Double Charges For Three Robbers

BROOKSVILLE - The three suspects connected to the attempted robbery at Brannen Bank on Tuesday also had attempted to rob another bank in Temple Terrace that same day, authorities said.

Casey E. Mitchell, of Dunnellon, wore a mask, demanded money from tellers, threatened to begin shooting and jumped the counter, according to an affidavit filed Wednesday. He was five days away from his 52nd birthday when he was arrested and charged with unarmed robbery.

Hernando County Sheriff's deputies said he entered Brannen Bank, located at 18900 Cortez Blvd., shortly before 1 p.m. wearing a "Scream" movie mask and fled on foot with a bag filled with money.

An eyewitness observed the man running across the parking lot with red smoke billowing from the bag. Tellers had activated a dye pack, which prompted Mitchell to leave the loose cash behind as he was running from the scene, according to an affidavit.

Two other suspects, Jennifer Lynn Roberts, 36, and Andre L. Franklin, 36, both of Tampa, were charged with being a principal in the first degree. No bond amounts were listed.

Roberts was driving the getaway vehicle, a 1990s model Mercury Marquis, and Franklin was a passenger who helped plan the robbery, deputies said.

Authorities pulled over the vehicle a few minutes later at the corner of State Road 50 and Spring Lake Highway.

Franklin told authorities he was a principal in another attempted bank robbery earlier in the day at a Pilot Bank, located at 5140 E. Fowler Ave. in Temple Terrace.

All three were charged in that crime, according to a media release by Temple Terrace Police.

Three Shoplifting Suspects Arrested Tuesday

SPRING HILL - Three people were arrested on suspicion of shoplifting within a 90-minute span Tuesday.

Tiffany Lynn Miller, 24, of Brooksville, was charged with retail theft after a manager at the Wal-Mart at 13300 Cortez Blvd. caught her with two pairs of baby shoes hidden inside a diaper bag shortly before 5:45 p.m., deputies said.

Less than an hour earlier, at the same store, Maureen Power Holly, 58, had filled two plastic bags with cat food and tried to exit the store without payment, according to an affidavit.

She was charged with a misdemeanor and then escorted from the store.

Shortly after 4:30 p.m., about 25 minutes prior to the first Wal-Mart theft, deputies were called to the Bealls Department Store at 13190 Cortez Blvd. after a woman was observed stealing three children's clothing items, according to an affidavit.

Christine Lynn Carman, 18, also was charged with a misdemeanor.

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