Robber of 4 banks a suspect in 7 more

TAMPA -- Police say Derrick Baldwin likes to rob banks, so much so that while out on bail awaiting sentencing for four bank robberies, he committed seven more.

Police say the latest series of bank robberies ended early Tuesday when he was arrested at his girlfriend's home.

"I did it for love," Baldwin said while being escorted to jail from Tampa Police headquarters on N Franklin Street. He did not elaborate.

"Apparently, he had a cocaine addiction problem," said Tampa police spokesman Joe Durkin. "(The money) went to his habit."

He said Baldwin stole thousands of dollars, none of which was recovered.

Records show Baldwin, 38, of 4714 Habana Ave. has an extensive criminal history that includes robbery with a firearm and more than a dozen convictions for worthless checks.

Baldwin was discovered by police in his girlfriend's home at 1910 W Palmetto Ave. after he failed to appear in court Monday, where he was to be sentenced to 15 years in jail after being convicted for the four previous bank robberies.

Last week Baldwin attempted a robbery at the Bank of America branch on 100 N West Shore Blvd., police said, and when he was unsuccessful there, he ran across the street to First Union Bank at 4950 W Kennedy Blvd.

Police said shortly after he robbed that bank, a security guard chased him on foot into a nearby parking lot, where he lost sight of the robber. Later, police surrounded a parking garage where Baldwin was seeking refuge. But he managed to escape. "It was magic," Baldwin said, when asked how he eluded the police.

"No magic about it," Durkin said. "He had a car waiting. He got in the car and left. He's just another career bank robber."

Police arrested Baldwin in January after he robbed Regions Bank on W Hillsborough Avenue. He was charged with four counts of bank robbery; the other three stemmed from robberies he committed last July, Durkin said.

Durkin said Baldwin would walk into a bank and present a threatening note to a teller that said he had a weapon. But he would never display the weapon, Durkin said, which is why he was not charged with armed robbery.

Police took Baldwin into custody Tuesday without incident. Durkin said he admitted the seven additional robberies. "He was talkative and cooperative," Durkin said. "I don't think we'll see Derrick Baldwin in public again."

Baldwin said he had "no regrets" about those crimes, even though they could keep him in jail for significantly longer than the 15 years he was facing. "I am free on the inside," said Baldwin, who is being held without bail.

-- Times researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this report.

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