By Marissa Lang, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, March 22, 2012
ST. PETERSBURG — The 23-year-old laid in wait as woman after woman approached the ATM, police said.
He tried to rob three and was successful in stealing $100 from one before he was arrested Wednesday morning, police said.
Justin Anthony Polito, 23, of St. Petersburg remained in the Pinellas County Jail in lieu of $160,000 bail Thursday.
He had been in jail just five days before on a trespassing charge, but was released after posting $250 bond, according to jail records.
Here's what landed in him in jail again, according to police: Polito planted himself outside a Wachovia ATM at 9655 Fourth Street N just before 9 a.m. Wednesday.
When Maria Soto, Shirley Harms and Jamie Francis walked up to the ATM, Polito approached each in turn and demanded money, police said. Before he could obtain any from any of the women, he ran away.
Then Anabel Ramos approached the machine. As she did, Polito ran up to her, demanded cash and placed a weapon she described as a "shank knife" against the middle of her back, according to an arrest affidavit.
Ramos handed over $100 cash to Polito before he fled and caught a glimpse of the knife, police said. The knife is described as having a small handle with tape around it and a short blade.
Ramos was not injured in the incident.
Polito was arrested about an hour after the robbery.
He has a history of arrests in Pinellas County dating back to 2009 on charges including domestic battery, drug paraphernalia possession and criminal mischief, according to jail records.
Marissa Lang can be reached at mlang@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3386.