Bank robbery suspect caught in Suwannee

Local News

March 11, 2010

By Jeff Waters, Democrat Reporter

A Belleview bank robbery suspect was captured at a local hotel Monday, according to Suwannee Sheriff Tony Cameron.

Mark Benjamin Geiger, 24, of Belleview, was arrested and charged with armed robbery of a bank.

According to reports, Geiger walked into a Bank of America around 10 a.m. at 5222 SE Abshier Blvd. in Belleview March 4 and handed a note to a teller that he produced from his wallet. According to Belleview police the note said "I have a gun and I will use it give me all the money no dye packs or devices."

The teller said she never saw a gun but followed his instructions. Geiger took the note back from the teller and fled the building with $3,019.

On Monday, Suwannee County Sheriff's Deputy Donald R. Brown met with Det. Jimmy Sparrow of the Belleview Police Department in reference to the case, according to a report by Brown.

Brown said that Geiger's cell phone was tracked to the Scottish Inn at CR 136 and Interstate 75 in Suwannee County. Brown said he and several other deputies went to the motel around 9 p.m. and were told by staff there that a person matching Geiger's description checked into room 110.

"Sparrow placed handcuffs on Mark and removed him from the room," reported Brown. "Mark began stating 'I have X in the room.'"

A search of the room revealed that a female was also in the room. Also revealed was a "white powder substance in a bag between the beds, a glass pipe with white residue in a drawer, several unknown pills in the night stand and $900 under a mattress."

Brown said $87 was found in the nightstand drawer.

"This currency was suspected of being taken during the robbery in Belleview," Brown reported.

Geiger told Brown that all the drugs were for his personal use.

Geiger agreed to be transported back to Belleview to be interviewed for the robbery, Brown said.