St. Pete Man Charged In String Of Pinellas County Bank Robberies

SEMINOLE, FL — While responding to a bank robbery in St. Petersburg, police arrested the man they believe robbed the First Citizens Bank in Seminole Monday.

At 4:12 p.m. Aug. 3, a man walked into the First Citizens Bank at 13700 Park Blvd., pointed a hand gun at the teller and demanded money. The robber then took off with an undisclosed amount of money.

On Thursday at 10:47 a.m., the St. Petersburg Police Department responded to a call about a bank robbery at the Mid-Florida Credit Union, 13700 Park Blvd. N. in St. Petersburg.

They arrested 51-year-old Charles Dana Combs of the 2900 block of 26th Street North. St. Petersburg, after they said he shot at St. Petersburg Police officers and attempted to flee police in a high-speed chase before crashing.

See related story: Bank Robber Shoots At St. Pete Officer And Crashes Car: Police

When Pinellas County Sheriff's detectives questioned him, he admitted to carrying out the First Citizens Bank robbery as well. Detectives charged him with one count of armed robbery.

In addition, St. Petersburg Police Department charged him with two charges of attempted murder, fleeing and eluding police at a high speed or with wanton disregard, leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage, wreckless driving with property damage, felon in possession of a firearm and three counts of robbery with a weapon.

In addition to these two bank robberies, officials believe Combs is responsible for the July 7 robbery of Mid-Florida Credit Union, 2646 4 St. N., St. Petersburg, and the June 23 robbery of American Momentum Bank, 5858 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.

Officials are investigating him in connection with other bank robberies as well.