Citizens Prevent Woman From Fleeing Tarpon Springs Bank After Robbing Elderly Woman
Denise Kearin, age 31 of Holiday, was arrested by Tarpon Springs Police for armed robbery.
Tarpon Springs Police officers responded to the Bank of America, located at 910 E. Tarpon Ave., on Monday, November 6th, 2017 at approximately 9:27 a.m.
Officers were advised that an 83 year old woman had just left the bank and was standing adjacent to her vehicle in the parking lot of the bank. A white, 1989, four door Chrysler New Yorker pulled behind her vehicle.
A female, later identified as Jennifer
31 year-old Denise Kearin of Holiday, Florida exited the Chrysler and approached the victim and demanded her money.
The victim had already placed her purse in her vehicle before being approached by the suspect. The victim initially refused the suspect’s demands.
According to police, Kearin then advised the victim that she had a firearm in her car and she threatened the victim that she would retrieve the weapon if the victim did not give her the money.
Kearin then entered the victim’s vehicle and removed the purse and began to walk back to her Chrysler.
The victim resisted Kearin and took hold of her to prevent her from leaving the scene.
At this point in the incident, two citizen witnesses observed what was occurring and positioned their vehicles behind Kearin’s car to prevent her from leaving the scene.
Kearin proceeded back to her vehicle, while in possession of the victim’s purse, and entered the driver’s seat while the victim was holding onto her shirt. She was unable to flee the scene due to the two aforementioned witness vehicles that prevented her vehicle from leaving.
The initial responding officer(s) observed a group of people gathered around the suspect’s vehicle and the victim holding onto the suspect’s shirt.
Kearin was taken into custody without further incident and charged with one count of armed robbery and violation of probation (Previous Fraud Charge).
The victim did not sustain any injuries as a result of this incident.
Kearin was transported and booked into the Pinellas County Jail.