Robber shoots twice into ceiling during robbery at TD Bank branch, FBI says

Thief gets away in stolen bakery van

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A robber shot twice into the ceiling of bank Thursday morning in southwest Miami-Dade County, the FBI said.

Miami-Dade police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta said officers were called about 11 a.m. to a TD Bank branch at Southwest 74th Avenue and Bird Road.

A surveillance image shows the robber, who was wearing a hooded jacket and had his face covered, pointing his gun at employees and customers as everyone got down on the ground.

Another photo shows him hopping over a counter. 

"He shot off a couple rounds in the roof, demanded money from a teller, took money from an employee and left in a stolen bakery van," FBI Special Agent Michael Leverock said. 

A woman whose boyfriend works at the bank said she was frightened for her boyfriend.

"It was just very nerve wracking to know that he was there," Gabriella Rodriguez said. 

Rodriguez said her boyfriend texted her right after the robbery.

"He got in at 9 in the morning, and he texted me, saying something had happened -- somebody had started shooting around. He was very nervous," she said. 

Authorities said no one was injured during the robbery. 

A perimeter was established in the area as authorities searched for the robber, who they said got away in a white van with "Bakery" emblazoned on the side.

Sky 10 was above a Zak the Baker van at 117 S. Dixie Highway shortly after noon as officers took one person into custody. 

That person was later released as authorities determined the van was not the one that had been reported stolen.

FBI Special Agent Michael Leverock said the stolen van was recovered in the area of 6300 Manor Drive in South Miami. 

FBI agents said the robber got away with a substantial amount of cash.

Leverock said investigators are not ruling out the possibility that the robber might have had accomplices.  

Anyone with information about the bank robbery is asked to call the FBI at 754-703-2000 or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. 


About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.

Sanela Sabovic joined Local 10 News in September 2012 as an assignment editor and associate producer. In August 2015, she became a full-time reporter and fill-in traffic reporter. Sanela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a concentration in radio, television and film from DePaul University.