Former law enforcement officer arrested after armed bank robbery in Marion County, police say
The Brief
A former law enforcement officer was arrested Friday after allegedly robbing a TD Bank and fleeing with over $5,000.
Police caught Christina Gates Thagard within 11 minutes and recovered stolen money and evidence from her vehicle.
ORLANDO, Fla. - An Ocala woman was arrested Friday morning after police say she robbed a TD Bank branch at gunpoint and fled with more than $5,000 before being caught within minutes.
What we know
Christina Gates Thagard, 40, was taken into custody around 10:52 a.m., just 11 minutes after the reported robbery at the bank on SE 17th Street, according to the Ocala Police Department. Officers stopped her vehicle on SW College Road near the College of Central Florida and recovered the stolen cash, clothing, a medical glove, and other items believed to have been used in the robbery.
Investigators said Thagard entered the bank wearing a hoodie, sunglasses, and a medical mask. She handed the teller a note stating, "This is a Robbery, I have a gun and will shoot if any alarms or dye packs are inclosed. Fill this bag with all at least 50K. Big bills only. Wait 2 mins to call Police." Surveillance footage and physical evidence, including clothing and a purse matching those used in the robbery, further tied her to the crime.
Thagard initially denied involvement, claiming two acquaintances had borrowed her car and may have committed the robbery without her knowledge. However, detectives noted several physical similarities between her and the suspect on video, including unique fingernail patterns and clothing.
Dig deeper
The Marion County Sheriff's Office confirmed Thagard is a former law enforcement officer. Officials did not immediately clarify whether she served as a deputy or specify her employment dates. Due to her former LEO status, her mugshot is exempt from public release and is not available online.
Thagard was charged with robbery with a firearm and booked into the Marion County Jail without bond.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO:
Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines
Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar
Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines
FOX Local: Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV
The Source
The information in this article comes from a report shared by the Ocala Police Department.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Child drowns in Central Florida pond while on vacation with family, deputies say
The Brief A child drowned on Friday morning in a Central Florida pond. The child was on vacation with their family. Officials say the drowning was accidental in nature and does not appear to be criminal. KISSIMMEE, Fla. - A child drowned on Friday morning in a Central Florida pond while on vacation with his family, Osceola County deputies say. What we know Deputies with the Osceola County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) said they responded to reports of a possible drowning on Friday morning in the area around Westgate Boulevard in Kissimmee. The area is next to the Westgate Vacation Villas Resort, which is in close proximity to the Central Florida theme parks and dozens of other resorts. Osceola County Fire Rescue (OCFR) said they took the child to the hospital, but they did not survive. Officials say the drowning was accidental in nature and does not appear to be criminal. The child and their family were visiting the area on vacation, authorities say. What they're saying "Out of respect and consideration for the family during this difficult time, we will not be releasing any additional information regarding this incident," deputies with the OCSO said. What we don't know Officials have not yet released any details on what led to the drowning and have not identified the child. This is a developing story. Check back later for more information. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Osceola County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) and Osceola County Fire Rescue (OCFR) in emails on June 13, 2025.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
21-year-old arrested for deadly Osceola County hit-and-run crash, troopers say
The Brief Jairo Pena Espana, 21, was arrested for a deadly hit-and-run in Osceola County. Authorities found the 2017 Ford F-250 involved. Espana is facing charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving death and driving without a license resulting in death. OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - A man has been arrested in connection with a deadly hit-and-run crash that occurred Wednesday in Osceola County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said they located a 2017 Ford F-250 and took the driver, 21-year-old Jairo Pena Espana of Honduras, into custody. Espana is facing charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving death and driving without a license resulting in death. An investigation is ongoing. The backstory The deadly crash took place at 6:22 a.m. on Wednesday in a neighborhood on Florida Parkway, south of Birchwood Circle in Kissimmee. Troopers said an unknown vehicle was traveling northbound on Florida Parkway, approaching East Bircwood Circle, while a woman may have been running on Florida Parkway in the northbound lane ahead of the vehicle. Troopers say the vehicle hit the 40-year-old woman and then fled the scene. The woman was taken to the hospital and died. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Florida Highway Patrol.
New York Post
2 days ago
- New York Post
Florida sheriff warns protesters planning violence: ‘We will kill you graveyard dead'
A Florida Sheriff delivered a stern warning to anyone planning protests against ICE or President Trump — threatening to respond to violence with deadly force. 'If you throw a brick, a firebomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains because we will kill you, graveyard dead. We're not going to play.' Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said Thursday. 'If you throw a brick, a firebomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies … we will kill you, graveyard dead,' Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey warned protesters. FOX 35 Advertisement 'If you try to mob rule a car in Brevard County, gathering around it, refusing to let the driver leave in our county, you're most likely going to get run over and dragged across the street,' the Republican sheriff said during the immigration news conference. 'If you spit on us, you're going to the hospital, then jail. If you hit one of us, you're going to the hospital, jail, and most likely get bitten by one of our big, beautiful dogs we have here,' Ivey warned. The sheriff's deadly declaration comes as a slew of anti-Trump and anti-ICE protests are expected to continue across the nation this weekend. Advertisement Over 2,000 'No Kings' protests in multiple cities are slated for Saturday, the day of the President's military birthday parade. The sheriff's deadly declaration comes as a slew of anti-Trump and anti-ICE protests are expected to continue across the nation this weekend. Mishalynn Brown/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images 'No Kings' protests have previously denounced Trump and Elon Musk, the former leader of Trump's Department of Government Efficiency. The themed protests, led by the national anti-authoritarianist 50501 Movement, have called for Trump to be 'dethroned' and have compared his actions to those of a King. Advertisement President Trump has deployed 4,000 National Guardsmen and 700 US Marines to Los Angeles after violent protests erupted over the weekend over his deportation crackdown. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, following a similar cue, ordered the deployment of more than 5,000 Texas National Guard troops on Thursday, along with more than 2,000 state police, in response to the ongoing demonstrations this weekend. With Post wires
