Man Threatened To Blow Up Parrish Bank, Left With Cash: Sheriff

PARRISH, FL — Authorities have arrested a bank robber who threatened to blow up a Fifth Third Bank in Parrish Monday afternoon and his accomplice.

Robert Dietrich Frascella, 55, was charged with armed robbery and false threat of an explosive device, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Thomas Harris, 31, who acted as his getaway driver, was also charged with armed robbery and false threat of an explosive device.

Both men were taken into custody, and they were found with several pieces of evidence, including some of the stolen money, the agency said.

When Frascella walked into the bank at 11215 U.S. 301 N around 2:40 p.m., he dropped a package on the counter along with a note demanding cash and a threatening statement about “blowing up” the bank, the sheriff’s office said.

After the teller gave him an undisclosed amount of cash, he walked out of the bank a few minutes later. He drove away in an older Ford Fusion that is possibly blue, MCSO said.

The MCSO bomb squad responded to the bank to examine the package left behind and found only glassware inside.

Anyone with information about this case should call the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at 941-747-3011 or contact Manatee Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS or online here. The FBI is also investigating.