A man previously convicted for bank robbery, David Sartin Jr., is facing new charges. Allegedly, he returned to his prior tactics by using an “old man” mask to rob two Florida banks during his supervised release period. Sartin, 40, from St. Petersburg, used a prosthetic mask with gray facial hair, similar to those he used in past robberies in Texas. This follows a lengthy sentence for multiple bank heists.
Robbery Details
According to a criminal complaint, Sartin’s supervised release began in May 2025. The first alleged robbery occurred on August 24, 2026, at Valley Bank in Largo, Florida. Sartin reportedly wore a straw hat, sports jacket, gloves, and a fake face mask while demanding money from a teller. He insisted on receiving cash without dye packs. Video evidence shows him fleeing on a bicycle before escaping in a Toyota FJ Cruiser.
The second incident took place on September 15 at a Truist Bank in St. Petersburg. Sartin, disguised similarly, managed to leave with approximately $2,554. A teller noticed he wore a mask since he did not move as an elderly person might. Investigators had been monitoring Sartin’s residence and tracked the Toyota used in these incidents. Sartin altered the vehicle’s appearance by spray-painting its roof.
Evidence and Arrest
Authorities arrested Sartin on September 19 for violating supervised release conditions. In his storage unit, they uncovered items linked to the robberies, including a prosthetic mask, clothing, and fake weaponry. They also found a journal with a provocative title on its first page.
Sartin has a criminal history, including convictions related to attempted bank robbery in Mississippi in 2008, where Halloween masks were utilized, and a 2018 sentence for Texas bank robberies.
Each new charge might lead to up to 20 years in federal prison, emphasizing the seriousness of recurring offenses.