A Florida man was caught on video buying a mask at a gas station, then crossing the street and attempting to rob a bank, police said.
According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Colton VanHonhenstein, 33, attempted to rob a bank on Saturday, June 15, but failed, after purchasing a face mask to hide his identity.
Police said a Florida man was seen on security camera strolling into a Wells Fargo bank branch across the street after purchasing a mask.
Police said the bank was closed but unlocked at the time of the attempted robbery.
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A Florida man was arrested after allegedly trying to rob an unlocked bank Saturday evening. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
Van Honhenstein allegedly entered the bank but didn’t get far.
Officers said the Wells Fargo bank’s alarm security system notified the sheriff’s office of a “bank robbery in progress.”
Police said the alarm system alerted police that the intruder was wearing a mask.
According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Colton VanHonhenstein, 33, was seen on surveillance video purchasing a mask at a gas station around 7 p.m. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
By the time officers arrived, the suspect had already fled.
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Police said the alarm company later determined there was a delay in its system and that the sheriff’s office wasn’t notified for at least an hour.
Colton VanHonhenstein’s car parked at a gas station before the attempted robbery at a local Wells Fargo branch. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
Thanks to security camera footage, Van Honhenstein was later found and arrested.
“He was charged with theft even though he only had a $5 mask,” authorities said.
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Police are investigating why the bank’s doors were left unlocked and why there was a delay in the alarm monitoring company’s response.
