VALRICO, Fla. – A suspected Grow Financial CU robber was hospitalized in critical condition yesterday after he was shot by a Hillsborough County deputy investigating Monday’s holdup.
Police said 30-year-old Thomas Noettl robbed the credit union branch around 1 Monday. Deputies caught up with Noettl a few hours later at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, where he spent most of the money. They say he was cooperative, even told them they could take him to his house where some of the money was.
But when investigators got to his Valrico home, where the suspect lives with his parents, they say Noettl grabbed a butcher knife and threatened deputies. That’s when one deputy opened fire, and shot the suspect.
Noettl, 30, is in critical condition. He is facing armed robbery charges.
Investigators found some of the money from the credit union robbery at the home. It was stained from a dye pack that exploded.
