A Florida man was captured on security camera footage purchasing a face mask from a gas station before attempting to burglarize a bank, according to the Martin County Sheriff's Office. The incident occurred on Saturday, June 15, involving a 33-year-old individual.
Colton Vanhonhenstein, the suspect, reportedly bought the face mask to conceal his identity before heading across the street to a Wells Fargo bank branch. Despite the bank being closed, it was left unlocked at the time of the attempted burglary.
Law enforcement revealed that Vanhonhenstein entered the bank but was quickly detected by the alarm security system, which notified the sheriff's office of a potential bank robbery in progress. The system also indicated that the intruder was wearing a mask.
Deputies responded to the alarm, but the suspect had already fled the scene. It was later discovered that there was a delay in the alarm monitoring system, which failed to alert authorities promptly. However, with the assistance of security footage, Vanhonhenstein was located and apprehended.
Officials stated that despite the suspect leaving the bank empty-handed, he was charged with burglary. The incident raised questions about why the bank's doors were unlocked and the reasons behind the delay in the alarm company's response.
This unusual sequence of events serves as a reminder of the importance of security measures in preventing criminal activities, even in seemingly secure locations like banks.