Photos for Headline Surfer / TOP: Two Edgewater cops were responsible for investigating the bank robbery-related crimes that led to adjudication of guilt at trial life and the subsequent life in prison without the possibility of parole for 65-year-old Henry Collier on Friday -- Detective Sgt. Stephen Binz (shown left) and Detective Garrett Cresenzi. LEFT: The Bank of America, 1900 S. Ridgewood Ave, Edgewater, the scene of the attempted robbery, recently closed at that location. BELOW: State Attorney RJ Larizza weighs in, calling Collier 'the poster child' for a serial career criminal.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- This bad guy played cops and robbers one too many times, and thanks to two Edgewater police detectives, Henry Wayne Collier's days of playing games are over.
After a two-day trial in Daytona Beach, a Volusia County jury on Friday found Collier, 65, with a last known address of Raleigh, NC, guilty as charged to three felonies stemming from the bank robbery attempt on March 11, 2024 - aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony, attempted robbery with a firearm, wearing a mask, and written threats to kill or do bodily injury.
Immediately following the verdict in a courtroom at the S. James Foxman Justice Center, Judge Christian Miller sentenced Collier to life in prison as a prison release re-offender, violent career criminal, habitual felony Offender, habitual violent felony offender, and a three-time violent felony offender.
On March 11, 2024, Collier entered the Bank of America branch at 1900 S. Ridgewood Avenue in Edgewater, wearing a long wig and a face mask. He was also carrying a bag with a handgun.
Collier's latest robbery attempt was an utter disaster from the start. His disguise was ridiculous, to begin with, for this career criminal's latest failed bank robbery attempt—a long wig and a facemask—which got him no cash. Though he was carrying a handgun in a black bag by the time he got it out, he was instructed by the bank manager that no money was being handed over, and he ran off.
A Crimestoppers tip helped Edgewater Police detectives solve the case. Using license plate readers, they identified Collier's vehicle and tracked it to Southeast Georgia. Glynn County Police and Georgia State Police then detained him.
“The defendant is the poster child for a serial career criminal,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said about the case. “You would be hard-pressed to find another individual with the montage of criminal designations amassed by our defendant. Now, he has the additional designation as a lifer.”
“The defendant is the poster child for a serial career criminal,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said about the case. “You would be hard-pressed to find another individual with the montage of criminal designations amassed by our defendant. Now, he has the additional designation as a lifer.”
Edgewater Detective Sgt. Stephen Binz, who, along with Detective Garrett Cresenzi, investigated the case against Henry Collier, noted stoically: "This guy should have already been serving life for his prior record. Fourteen prior robberies, some to banks, kidnapping, (and) common law robberies. On federal probation. Great job by all those involved in putting this guy where he belongs."
About the Headline Surfer Byline Writer: Henry Frederick is an award-winning journalist who launched Headline Surfer in 2008, which serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando via