Sarasota Man Connected to Bradenton Bank Robbery

A 57-year-old Sarasota man is being held in connection with a Bradenton bank robbery that occurred late Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Bradenton Police Department, local officers and members of the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force were called out to the Bank of the Ozarks, 2102 59th St. W., around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday. When they arrived, they were told a man walked into the bank, approached employees and indicated he was armed. After taking money from a teller, the man took off in a vehicle.

Shortly after the robbery, Manatee County Sheriff’s deputies spotted the suspect vehicle and attempted a stop. The driver, however, tried to flee.

“A brief vehicle pursuit ensued during which deputies deployed stop sticks,” an email from the police department stated.

Deputies were able to bring Brian P. Giannolla into custody.

The case remains under investigation with robbery and fleeing to elude charges pending against Giannolla, the Brandenton Police Department’s email said.

Anyone who has information in the case is asked to call the police department at 941-932-9300, Det. Greg Price at 941-932-9355 or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000, call Crime Stoppers (toll free) at 1-866-634-8477 (TIPS) or send an anonymous E-Tip thru the web at www.manateecrimestoppers.com.

Photo courtesy of the Bradenton Police Department