Police in Florida said a man, 26, googled ‘how to rob a bank’ just hours before executing a heist at a local credit union
Police in Florida said Wednesday that a convicted criminal googled the phrase ‘how to rob a bank’ just hours before executing a heist in Largo.
William Johnson, 26, was charged with robbery after stealing a little more than $2,000 from the Achieva Credit Union, according to a court affidavit.
Johnson, according to local authorities, went into the financial institution and handed teller Teresa Forrest a note stating: ‘give me money, no bait, I have gun.’
Forrest told police that Johnson entered the Achieva Credit Union at approximately 10.30am, describing him with ‘short brown hair’ and ‘wearing a blue plaid long sleeve shirt.’
A man matching that description was later spotted at nearby supermarket where he purchased several lottery tickets and a beverage, according to The Smoking Gun.
William Johnson was charged with robbery after stealing a little more than $2,000 from a bank in Largo, Florida
Police later tracked down Johnson to an Express Inn in Pinellas Park using tips from the public who saw a picture of Johnson after his image started circulating on Facebook
Authorities received several tips of suspect’s whereabouts after seeing surveillance footage uploaded to Facebook identifying Johnson.
Police later tracked him down to an Express Inn in Pinellas Park, were they executed an arrest for the suspect Monday evening.
During questioning, ‘Johnson admitted to the bank robbery,’ according to a statement posted to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s website.
Johnson (pictured allegedly robbing the credit union) said that he used the money to pay rent and go on a ‘drug binge’
Johnson told investigators that he was in need of money so he googled ‘how to rob a bank,’ the Sheriff website notes.
‘Johnson said he originally planned to rob the Wells Fargo Bank located at 10500 Ulmerton Road, but changed his mind after he entered the Wells Fargo and saw the teller was a large male,’ it added.
Johnson said that he used the $2,000 stolen from the bank to pay ‘for rent, utilities, and a drug binge.’
Investigators say that Johnson planned to rob another bank the following day.
He is currently being held at the county jail with a bond set for $100,000.
Johnson has had numerous run-ins with the law in the past, being arrested for grand theft, dealing in stolen property, probation violation and felony battery.