ELLENTON --
Two men suspected of robbing a Bank of America branch Monday got an unwelcome surprise, according to two witnesses.
As they made their getaway on the windy afternoon, a dye pack exploded, strewing $50 and $100 bills across a shopping center parking lot, and splashing one of the suspects with red ink. They then fled in a white sports utility vehicle.
"We tried to keep it from blowing away, we were stepping on it," said Randy Whitaker of Ellenton, who witnessed the scene with his brother Jim. "There was money blowing all over the parking lot."
The hold-up happened about 12:55 p.m. at the Bank of America in Ridgewood Plaza, in the 7000 block of U.S. 301, Ellenton, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
Detective Rick Alvarado said at least two suspects robbed the bank by passing a note to a teller. They implied they had weapons but there were no injuries reported, Alvarado said.
"They may have gotten away with some money," he said.
More than an hour after the robbery, crime scene technicians were in the parking lot picking up the dye pack and cash.
Randy Whitaker, driving a white golf cart with his brother in the passenger seat, also remained in the parking lot.
He said he and his brother went to the Dollar General store in the plaza to buy candy, and as they were walking back to the golf cart, they watched two men run from the bank towards the white SUV.
"I seen the thing blow up - the dye pack explode," Randy Whitaker said.
He said a woman in a pickup stopped and tried to pick up some of the money, but he told her it was evidence.
The lady said "OK" and drove away, Whitaker said.
The suspected bank robbers fled in a white Ford Explorer or Expedition with an expired Florida license tag of V13BNC, according to a sheriff's report.
The men are described as in their mid-20s to 30s. One of the men was wearing a straw hat.
The other man was wearing a blue shirt with a USA Golf logo, according to the sheriff's office.
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