Police search for bank robber who prompted gym evacuation

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police had to evacuate an L.A. Fitness gym after a bank robber, who targeted a nearby bank, ran inside after a dye pack among the cash exploded.

Broward Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the robbery of a Washington Mutual, located at 1100 E. Hillsboro Blvd., just after 11:30 a.m. with a massive show of force, including SWAT, but the subject escaped.

Police said the robber was either armed or said he was armed when he took the unknown amount of money. The robber dropped the dye pack after it exploded outside the neighboring LA Fitness and ran inside.

Police quickly evacuated the gym to look for the crook, calling SWAT and K-9 units to the scene. By the afternoon he hadn't been caught.

According to BSO, witnesses said the male subject, who was wearing a cap and a hood, came into the bank holding a revolver. He allegedly told bank customers and employees this was a hold up.

Craig Sawyer was standing nearby the gunman when he came in. "He came up right beside me ... he said, 'No dye packs,' and he yelled at me to quit going for the door."

"He yelled at me a little, too," said April Olthaus, Sawyer's niece. "He said, 'Sit down, don't say anything.'" Olthaus said that she felt "shocked that he would do that."

Police said he took off with an undisclosed amount of money which-- despite his orders to not be give a dye pack-- exploded in fumes. He ditched the pack outside of a near the L.A. Fitness located just next door to the bank. The subject was then believed to have entered the gym at this location, and police ordered the evacuation.

This was the third armed bank robbery in Broward County in the last two days.

The gym reopened later in the afternoon, after police conducted their search, which did not result in any arrests. There were no injuries reported, and the manhunt continues.

If you have any information on this robbery or any of the other robberies, which police have noted were not related, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.