Convicted Bank Robber Accused of Using Same ‘Old Man’ Disguise in New Florida Heists

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man previously convicted in a string of bank robberies is accused of returning to the same disguise that helped conceal his identity in earlier crimes, federal authorities said.

David Sartin Jr., 40, of St. Petersburg, faces two federal bank robbery charges after investigators linked him to holdups at banks in Largo and St. Petersburg.

According to a criminal complaint, Sartin allegedly wore a prosthetic “old man” mask with gray facial hair during both robberies. Authorities said he had used similar disguises during a series of Texas bank robberies that resulted in a federal prison sentence of more than 10 years.

His supervised release began in May 2025. Investigators allege the first Florida robbery occurred Aug. 24, 2026, at a Valley Bank branch in Largo.

Authorities said the suspect entered wearing a straw hat, sports jacket, gloves and a prosthetic face covering before demanding cash from a teller and warning against the use of dye packs. He allegedly left with about $2,900 and fled the area.

Investigators later traced a Toyota FJ Cruiser seen near the bank. Authorities said the vehicle matched one used in several of Sartin’s earlier Texas robberies.

A second robbery allegedly occurred Sept. 15 at a Truist Bank branch in St. Petersburg. Investigators said a similarly disguised suspect entered the bank, handed a teller a note demanding cash without dye packs and escaped with about $2,554.

The teller became suspicious because the man appeared to be wearing a mask and did not move like an elderly person, according to court documents.

By that time, FBI agents had placed Sartin under surveillance. Investigators said they observed the Toyota leaving Sartin’s residence before the second robbery and returning afterward. A man resembling Sartin was later seen unloading a bicycle from the vehicle, according to the complaint.

Authorities also said they watched Sartin alter the appearance of the SUV by spray-painting its white roof black.

Sartin was arrested Sept. 19 on a warrant alleging he violated the terms of his supervised release.

Searches of a storage unit and other locations uncovered an “old man” mask, glasses, clothing and other items investigators said matched those used during the robberies. Agents also recovered a fake handgun and a journal allegedly authored by Sartin.

Sartin’s criminal history includes a 2008 conviction for attempted bank robbery in Mississippi. In 2018, he was sentenced to 10 years and one month in federal prison for a series of Texas bank robberies.

If convicted on the new charges, Sartin could face up to 20 years in prison on each count.