* Fayetteville bank robber caught

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News

Fayetteville bank robber caught

Wed, 09/12/2007 - 12:23pm

By: John Munford

Local detective lauded for break in case

A 46-year-old Riverdale man has been arrested by federal officials for the Aug. 15 armed robbery of the South Crest Bank in Fayetteville, police said.

Willie George Ward was arrested Tuesday night after Fayetteville Det. Scott Gibson, working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, followed up a small lead that led to finding Ward at a location where police had thought he was staying, said Police Lt. Beverly Trainor.

Fayetteville Police Chief Steve Heaton lauded Gibson’s “solid detective work” and tenacity for helping crack the case.

Ward was arrested Tuesday around 7 p.m. at an apartment complex near Garden Walk Boulevard off Ga. Highway 85 in Riverdale, police said.

The robbery was caught on video, with the assailant drawing a gun upon entering the bank and firing one shot almost immediately; no one was hurt, police said.

The video showed the robber aggressively pointing the gun at the teller as she filled a yellow plastic bag with the cash. He wore a black University of Georgia “G” hat and sunglasses along with a white glove on his right hand. He brandished the gun with his left hand.

Police said the robber dropped some of the money in the wooded area behind the bank before he got away.

Why Willie the Would-be Bank Robber is now Willie the Prisoner

Submitted by ilockemup on Thu, 09/13/2007 - 7:04pm.

(1) He was born stupid
(2) He stayed stupid
(3) His girlfriend and one of his homey-g's in the hood ratted him out.

First, thank you to the Fville PD and other law enforcement. Good job.

Willie is obviously as dumb as a rock. Since no one fears Fayette anymore he borrowed a handgun, bought two gallons of gas, shot up the bank, dropped most of the loot in the woods and scampered home. Some how he pissed off his girlfriend who gave a positive id off the video. When Willie denied having a Georgia cap, his buddy ratted him out on that one.

Good job Fayetteville. Now go work on the Pavillion. An occasional wood shampoo would help spread the word.

Outstanding police work!

Submitted by Davids mom on Thu, 09/13/2007 - 10:53am.

This detective is to be commended publicly! Let's hope the FBI doesn't offer him a job. He is needed right here in Fayette County!

Davids mom,

Submitted by Cyclist on Thu, 09/13/2007 - 11:05am.

I second that!!!!
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PAY UP CLAYTON!

Submitted by tikigod on Wed, 09/12/2007 - 8:24pm.

When are we going to send a bill to clayton county for the increased cost of law enforcement in Fayette county? Me thinks this should be recouped from toll booths on 85, 314, and 54... that would be so sweet:)

btw, do crime statistic databases include the place of residence of the criminal?

Great Work Det Gibson!!!

Submitted by wheeljc on Wed, 09/12/2007 - 7:51pm.

Super work -- and in less than a month!!! THANK YOU!!!

Good Job Det. Gibson!

Submitted by skyspy on Wed, 09/12/2007 - 2:42pm.

I long for the day when the only way a criminal leaves Fayette County is in a bodybag!

Gee who would have thought it was an "upstanding" citizen of clayton-crime-county?

From an apartment complex in Clayton County..

Submitted by McDonoughDawg on Wed, 09/12/2007 - 2:02pm.

Who would have ever guessed that?

Good Job FPD