Agencies Join Forces To Catch Accused Dunkin Donuts Armed Robber

GULFPORT, FL — Following an investigation by the criminal investigative section of the Gulfport Police Department, accused armed robber Eric Jason Banks, 39, was arrested in Sarasota County by members of the Sarasota Sheriff's Office.

On Friday, Dec. 13, Gulfport Police officers responded to a occurred robbery at the Dunkin Donuts at 5602 Gulfport Blvd. The robber had brandished an 8-inch folding knife and demanded money from the cash register. He concealed his identity by wearing a black ball cap, sunglasses and a torn piece of clothing across his face, which covered his nose, mouth, chin and neck.

An employee discreetly used a cell phone to take photos of the robber, including unique tattoos on his arms as well as the clothing he was wearing.

K-9 deputies from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office tracked the robber to a nearby field and located clothing that had been dropped there by the robber. The Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory conducted analysis of DNA on the clothing and identified Eric Jason Banks.

Detectives compared the cell phone photos to known booking photos of Banks and confirmed that the tattoos were a match. With this evidence, detectives consulted with the Pinellas/Pasco State Attorney's Office to secure an arrest warrant for Banks on a charge or armed robbery with a deadly weapon.

Upon learning that Banks had moved to and was employed in Sarasota County as a chef, the warrant information was relayed to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, and he was subsequently arrested.

He is being held on $150,000 bond pending extradition to Pinellas County.