Detectives: Halloween bank robbery plan included 'Scream' masks

PALM HARBOR, Fla. - Two Palm Harbor men charged with multiple burglaries also planned to rob a bank on Halloween wearing 'Scream' masks, according to Pinellas County sheriff's detectives.

Thomas Fields, 23, and Matthew Thomas, 27, are accused of committing five residential burglaries. It's believed the pair committed as many as ten burglaries and sold the stolen items at local pawn shops.

During their investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant for the suspects' home on 15th Street in Palm Harbor. They discovered the two had detailed plans to rob the Patriot Bank at 1103 Florida Avenue on Halloween.

According to a sheriff's statement, "the suspects planned to wear masks from the movie "Scream" and two layers of clothing, one which would be shed as they fled the scene. The pair intended to use two rental cars, one for their arrival and the second would be nearby for the getaway."

Deputies also found drawings and maps of the inside and outside of the bank and kept an eye on bank employees to know who would be in the building at the time of the planned robbery.

Confronted with the evidence, the two admitted to planning the crime.

In addition to the burglary charges, Fields and Thomas each face one count of conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

Both were booked into the Pinellas County Jail. Bond for each totals $295,000, according to jail records.