Suspect charged with twelve counts of aggravated assault for Whitfield bank robbery

WHITFIELD COUNTY, Georgia (WDEF) – A suspect has been arrested and charged after Whitfield 911 was notified of a bank robbery early this morning.

The robbery occurred at the Wells Fargo Bank located at 2114 Cleveland Highwayat approximately 10:44 a.m. It was reported that a white male entered the bank, pulled out a handgun, and started waving it around at bank employees and customers.

Captain Rick Swiney says that the suspect demanded cash from two of the bank tellers. After obtaining some cash, the suspect exited the bank and was observed getting into a gold Ford Explorer “Sport Track”  before traveling east on Dawnville Road.

Whitfield County Deputy Beth Gomez was in the area of Dawnville Road and Highway 286 upon being notified of the robbery. Gomez then began traveling west on Dawnville Road and met a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle.

She turned around on the vehicle and was able to get it stopped on Highway 286. At this time, she determined the suspect matched the description of the robber.

As the suspect was being taken into custody, he attempted to flee on foot. He only got a few feet before being tackled by an officer. Upon conducting a search of the suspect’s vehicle, a large sum of currency was found in the floorboard of the vehicle. The handgun used in the robbery was also recovered in the vehicle.

The suspect was later identified as 61-year-old James Gilbert Crick, of Presley Road, Dalton.

James Crick

Crick has been charged with Armed Robbery, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and twelve counts of Aggravated Assault.

Captain Rick Swiney explains that the twelve counts are for pointing the firearm at each customer and bank employee inside the bank.

The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted in the investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.