Officer Keith Pankey is being recognized as the Officer of the Month for May 2019.
On May 10, 2019, at 11:18 am, officers responded to a call for service at the Bank of America located at 926 Cape Coral Pkwy E in reference to a Robbery in progress. The initial caller stated a bald Hispanic male, wearing a blue shirt attempted to steal a female’s purse. The suspect fled the scene westbound from the parking lot in a black Kia Soul.
A witness heard the victim yell for help and he could see a male attempting to pull a bag away from the woman. The witness began walking toward the male, who then fled the scene in a black KIA soul. Staff at the bank advised the male came into the Bank just prior to the attempted Robbery but did not have his name as he left prior to being helped. The suspect was also with an older white female with a walker. The female with the walker was inside the bank attempting to get a new ATM card.
The victim suffered a minor injury during the crime and was also holding an infant child in a carrier attached to her body when the suspect attempted to steal a bag she was carrying. The bag contained an undisclosed amount of money.
The Bank Security was contacted who was able to provide a still image of the male suspect and the female. Officer Pankey took the photo and did an extensive check in his assigned zone, showing the photo to all the local businesses and apartment complexes. Officer Pankey met with a Property Manager for an apartment complex and showed the photo of the male and female. Officer Pankey asked if anyone matching the description was recently in looking for an apartment to rent. The property manager told Officer Pankey that she recognized the female who had, in fact, been there looking for a place to rent.
The Property Manager had all of the female’s information. Officer Pankey confirmed the female’s identity. He also discovered that she had a 2012 Black Kia Soul registered to her, which was the same black Kia Soul in which the suspect and the female were seen fleeing the scene of the robbery.
Officer Pankey was able to provide this valuable information to the assigned detectives, who were then able to identify and arrest the male suspect. This was a great effort by Officer Pankey in assisting in this investigation and discovering who was involved. This is also the type of effort and work of which our department is so proud.
Captain Phil Van Landschoot, Patrol Bureau Commander, and Sergeant Patrick O’Grady presented Officer Keith Pankey with his certificate.
