Florida man arrested over two bank robberies in elderly-man mask; had 2018 conviction
In short
David Sattin Jr., 40, of St. Petersburg, Florida, was arrested by federal authorities on suspicion of robbing two Florida banks this year while wearing an elderly-man mask. He was convicted in 2018 over a similar series of five bank robberies in Texas and was on probation at the time, according to Korean outlets citing the New York Post.
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David Sattin Jr., 40, who lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, was arrested by federal authorities on suspicion of robbing two banks this year, Korean outlets reported on October 21 and 22, citing the New York Post, which reported on October 20 local time. Federal prosecutors say he robbed a bank in Largo on August 24 and another in St. Petersburg on September 15. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
According to the reports, he wore a mask shaped like an elderly man's face in both robberies. Electronic Times described a mask with a grey beard and dark glasses. He approached tellers and demanded cash that contained no dye packs. The outlets explain that a dye pack is an anti-robbery device placed among bundles of cash that releases coloured dye to help police track the robber. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
In the first robbery, he reportedly drove to a gas station near the bank, then switched to a bicycle to approach it. He took $2,900 and left on the bicycle before switching back to his car. Several outlets say he told staff "until we meet again"; Newsis quotes him as saying "let's keep going until we meet again". In the second robbery he took $2,554. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Investigators tracked a vehicle that left and returned to his home around the second robbery. The day after, he was seen spray-painting the white roof of the vehicle black. Searches of his home and storage unit turned up a bicycle, a blue suit, a black bag, an elderly-man mask, black-rimmed glasses and work gloves stained with black paint. Electronic Times and Newsis also report a fake handgun and clothing. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
At another place where he stayed, investigators found a further mask and a diary dated 2021, reported by Electronic Times, Dong-A Ilbo and Asia Economy. Its title was given as "God's best friend is a bank robber! The world of police and robbers through a bank robber's eyes". [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
The outlets say he was convicted in federal court in 2018 over five bank robberies in Texas in 2016, in which he also wore an elderly-man mask. He was given a sentence of just over ten years. The same vehicle is said to have been used then and now, and he was on probation from that case during the new robberies. Electronic Times adds that he was convicted in 2008 over an attempted bank robbery with an accomplice wearing Halloween masks. Dong-A Ilbo and Asia Economy say he was arrested after release from prison. Newsis reports that the US Justice Department published a photo of him. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The Korean outlets present the case as a repeat of an earlier method, noting the earlier conviction and the probation he was reportedly serving. The documents give no information on charges, a court date or a verdict.
Key facts
- David Sattin Jr., 40, who lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, was arrested by federal authorities on suspicion of two bank robberies this year. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Federal prosecutors say he robbed a bank in Largo on August 24 and another in St. Petersburg on September 15. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- He is said to have worn a mask shaped like an elderly man's face and demanded cash without dye packs from tellers. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- He took $2,900 in the first robbery and $2,554 in the second. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Investigators reportedly found masks, a blue suit, a black bag, a bicycle and work gloves with black paint in searches of his home, storage unit and another residence. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- He was convicted in 2018 over a 2016 series of five bank robberies in Texas and received a sentence of just over ten years. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- He was on probation tied to the earlier case at the time of the new robberies. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Sattin was arrested by federal authorities over two Florida bank robberies this year, in Largo on August 24 and in St. Petersburg on September 15. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- In both robberies he wore an elderly-man mask and asked tellers for cash without dye packs. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The amounts taken were $2,900 and $2,554. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- He was convicted in 2018 over five bank robberies in Texas in 2016, in which he also wore an elderly-man mask, and was on probation from that case during the new robberies. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Authorities say the same vehicle was used in the 2016 and the new robberies. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- A diary from 2021 was found at another place where he stayed, together with a further mask. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- What he said to the teller in the first robbery. Three outlets give "until we meet again"; Newsis gives "let's keep going until we meet again".
- The won value of the stolen sums. The outlets give different conversions: about 3.8 million, 4.1 million and 3.84 million won for $2,900.
- Whether he served a full sentence or was released before the new robberies. Two outlets say he was arrested after release from prison; none states his release date or time served.
- A 2008 attempted bank robbery with an accomplice in Halloween masks and disguises, for which he was reportedly convicted in federal court. Only Electronic Times mentions this.
- Whether a fake handgun was found. Only Electronic Times and Newsis mention a fake handgun.