CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. (WFLA) — The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office said they’ve arrested a man accused of stealing around $2,000 from a bank in Crystal River on Thursday.
On July 10, at around 9:40 a.m., William Burton Clarkson, 54, entered the Capital City Bank on Highway 19, pulled out a handgun and demanded cash from the teller.
He was captured on security cameras before fleeing the scene on foot, with witnesses describing him as wearing blue jeans, boots, sunglasses and having a long ponytail.
CCSO released the images online and said they received multiple tips identifying the suspect as Clarkson. They also learned of a new alias for the man, “Texas Billy.”
Detectives were informed that Clarkson was staying at the Scooter Haven RV Park in Inglis, and found a truck with a Texas license plate when they went to investigate.
But police weren’t alone in their hunt for the suspect, a witness confronted Clarkson after seeing the photos on social media and helped facilitate his surrender to deputies, CCSO said.
“This case highlights how essential every part of our agency is, from real-time intelligence gathering to on-the-ground investigation,” Major Crimes Unit Sergeant Thomas Dowling said. “Our team’s dedication, combined with the public’s quick response to our social media outreach, was key in quickly identifying and apprehending a dangerous suspect.”
Clarkson was charged with one count of robbery with a firearm and is currently being held at the Levy County jail.
