Seacoast bank robbed in Vero Beach

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — - A man in a red hat robbed a bank that has been the target of other criminals in recent years, the Indian River County Sheriff's Office said Friday.

The robbery happened about 3:30 p.m. at Seacoast National Bank at the northeast corner of U.S. 1 and 12th Street, Sheriff's spokesman Deputy Jeff Luther said. Witnesses described the hatted man as having dirty blond hair and a medium build, Luther said.

The suspect stood about 5-feet, 9-inches tall and had a teller place the undisclosed amount of cash into a bag. He passed the teller a note demanding the money, but no weapon was shown, witnesses told detectives.

Investigators did not have it confirmed whether the suspect fled the bank on foot or in a vehicle. Deputies stopped some vehicles in the vicinity, but did not find the suspect, Luther said.

In October 2011, another robbery happened at the bank. No suspect was charged for the crime.

Nearly four years ago, a man walked into the building — then operated by Riverside National Bank — and demanded money. However, investigators said he became frightened when he realized a teller had set an alarm and fled without any cash. Within hours, he was apprehended.