Captured Bank Robbery Suspect Googled ‘How To Rob A Bank,’ Pinellas Detectives Say

PINELLAS PARK, FL - A 26-year-old Pinellas Park man said he needed money and googled “how to rob a bank.” Despite that research, Pinellas detectives said Tuesday they arrested William Joe Johnson, 26, for the robbery of an Achieva Credit Union in Largo on Thursday morning, Oct. 5. Johnson was arrested about 10:45 p.m. Monday at the Express Inn, 11333 U.S. 19 in Pinellas Park and charged with one count of robbery, according to a news release.

Detectives said Johnson admitted to the bank robbery, according to the news release. Johnson said he initially planned to rob the Wells Fargo Bank, 10500 Ulmerton Road, but changed his mind after he entered the bank and saw the teller was a large male, the release said.

Johnson said he spent all of the money he stole from the credit union and he planned to rob a bank on Tuesday, Oct. 10, the report said. Detectives say Johnson used the stolen money to pay for rent, utilities, and a drug binge. He was arrested without incident.

Watch: Captured Bank Robbery Suspect Googled ‘How To Rob A Bank,’ Pinellas Detectives Say

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About 10:52 a.m. Thursday, detectives said a suspect entered the Achieva Credit Union. Once inside the bank, the suspect approached the teller, "implied he had a gun" and demanded cash, a press release said. The suspect was given an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect fled on foot.

Detectives were able to identify the suspect as Johnson and found him at the Express Inn where he was staying as a guest, the press release said.

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