A Florida man who previously spent more than 10 years in federal prison for a series of bank robberies has been charged with allegedly targeting two more banks while wearing a prosthetic mask designed to make him look like an elderly man.
David Sartin Jr., 40, of St. Petersburg, Florida, faces two federal counts of bank robbery over incidents in Largo on August 24, 2026, and St. Petersburg on September 15, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
Prosecutors allege that the Serial Bank Robber used an elderly-man disguise during both robberies, repeating a method associated with five bank robberies he committed in Texas in 2016.
The latest charges have drawn attention because Sartin was reportedly on supervised release following his earlier federal conviction when the two Florida robberies occurred.
He has been charged, but the allegations must still be established through the legal process.
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1. He allegedly robbed two Florida banks weeks apart
According to the federal criminal complaint, the first robbery took place at a bank in Largo on August 24, followed by another at a bank in St. Petersburg on September 15.
Investigators allege that the suspect approached bank tellers wearing a prosthetic mask with grey facial hair and demanded cash. He also reportedly instructed tellers not to include dye packs, which are designed to mark stolen banknotes.
The first robbery allegedly yielded $2,900, while the second brought in $2,554. The total amount reportedly taken was $5,454.
Details of the alleged incidents were outlined in a Department of Justice announcement published on October 16, 2026.
2. Investigators say he used a bicycle and a getaway vehicle
The alleged getaway method was another important part of the investigation.
According to prosecutors, the Serial Bank Robber arrived in the area of the first bank in a vehicle before parking nearby, switching to a bicycle and riding towards the branch.
After allegedly obtaining the cash, he fled on the bicycle before returning to the vehicle and driving away.
Investigators later examined surveillance footage and vehicle movements as they attempted to connect the suspect to the robberies.
In the second incident, surveillance reportedly showed a vehicle leaving Sartin’s home before the robbery and returning afterwards. A man resembling Sartin was allegedly seen unloading a bicycle from the vehicle.
Authorities also said investigators observed Sartin spray-painting the vehicle’s previously white roof black the day after the second robbery.
These details formed part of the evidence cited in the criminal complaint.
3. Searches allegedly uncovered masks, clothing and a fake handgun
Investigators searched Sartin’s residence and reportedly recovered a bicycle, a blue suit and a black bag resembling items associated with the first robbery. They also found other items that prosecutors said were consistent with the alleged crimes.
A search of a storage unit allegedly uncovered a backpack and laptop bag containing several disguise-related items, including a prosthetic elderly-man mask with grey facial hair, dark-framed glasses and work gloves bearing black paint.
Authorities also reported finding a fake handgun and clothing that allegedly matched the outfit worn during one of the robberies.
Investigators searched another property where Sartin occasionally stayed and reportedly discovered a different prosthetic mask.
The evidence described by prosecutors is part of the case against him. Its significance will ultimately be considered through the legal process.
4. A journal carried an unusual bank-robbery title
Among the items investigators reportedly discovered at the additional property was a journal dated January 1, 2021.
The journal was titled, “God’s Best friend is a Bank Robber! Uncle Henry Cops and Robbers the world through the eyes of a Bank Robber.”
According to the Justice Department, the journal was identified as having been written by David Sartin. One page reportedly contained a drawing of a character holding up a mask, accompanied by a handwritten phrase referring to the character’s face and the mask.
The discovery was included in the federal authorities’ account of the investigation and has attracted attention because of its connection to the disguise allegedly used in the bank robberies.
However, the existence of the journal alone does not determine whether Sartin committed the newly alleged offences. The prosecution must establish its case using admissible evidence.
5. He had previous convictions for bank-related crimes
Sartin’s criminal history stretches back several years.
According to federal prosecutors, he was convicted in 2008 of attempted bank robbery after he and a co-conspirator tried to rob a bank while wearing Halloween masks and disguises.
He was later convicted in connection with five bank robberies committed in Texas in 2016. Prosecutors said he used a similar elderly-man mask and the same vehicle associated with the more recent Florida cases.
That conviction resulted in a sentence of 10 years and one month in federal prison.
At the time of the alleged 2026 robberies, Sartin was on supervised release connected to the earlier federal case, according to the Justice Department.
If convicted on the two new bank-robbery counts, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison on each count, meaning a potential maximum of 40 years. The possible sentence is not a prediction of the outcome, and the final result would depend on the court proceedings.
What happens next?
The case is being investigated by the FBI, the Largo Police Department and the St. Petersburg Police Department, with prosecution handled by the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
The allegations have renewed interest in how investigators use surveillance footage, vehicle evidence and physical items to connect suspects to crimes.
For now, the Serial Bank Robber faces two federal bank-robbery charges over the Florida incidents. The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
