Sheriff's deputies search for East Lake bank robber

EAST LAKE — The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is searching for a man who dressed as a woman and robbed a bank Friday afternoon, authorities say.

Just before 4 p.m., the suspect, described as a black man wearing a wig and a long, purple sweater over black stretch pants, entered the Bank of America at 2551 Tarpon Woods Blvd., deputies said.

The man implied he had a gun, but none was seen and no one was hurt, deputies said. He is described as 5-foot-10 and about 175 pounds.

Deputies say the suspect fled from the bank on foot into a nearby neighborhood, where he forced a man to drive him through the search perimeter to Philippe Park.

The suspect then jumped out of the man's car at the park. The driver was not hurt.