Public Information Officer:
Sergeant Thomas Woodman
727-893-1051 (office)
727-582-6177 (communications center)
twoodman@mygulfport.us

Subject:                Arrest of Eric Banks for Armed Robbery
Date:                    12/12/19

Narrative
Sarasota, FL—Following an investigation by the criminal investigative section of the Gulfport Police Department, Eric Jason Banks was arrested in Sarasota County by members of the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office.
 
On 9/13/19, officers responded to a just-occurred robbery at the Dunkin Donuts located at 5602 Gulfport Blvd. The suspect had pulled out folding knife approximately eight inches in length and demanded money from the cash register. The suspect concealed his identity by wearing a black ball cap, sunglasses, and a torn piece of clothing across his face, which covered his nose, mouth, chin, and neck. 
 
An alert employee discreetly used a cell phone to take photos of the suspect, including unique tattoos on his arms, as well as the clothing he was wearing.
 
K9 deputies from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office tracked to a nearby field and located clothing which had apparently been dropped there by the suspect. The Pinellas County Forensic Labaratory conducted analysis of DNA on this clothing, and it was identified as that of Eric Jason Banks. Detectives compared the cell-phone photos to known booking photos of Banks and confirmed that the tattoos were a match.
 
With this evidence, detectives consulted with the Pinellas/Pasco State Attorney’s Office to secure an arrest warrant for Banks on a charge or armed robbery with a deadly weapon. Upon learning that Banks had moved to and was employed in Sarasota County, the warrant information was relayed to Sarasota Sheriff’s Office, and he was subsequently arrested. He is being held on $150,000 bond pending extradition to Pinellas County.
 
Click here for booking information.