Dalton bank robber doesn't get far

A bank robber got away with some cash Thursday afternoon in Whitfield County, but not for long.

Within moments of the robbery, Whitfield County deputies stopped the getaway car, arrested the driver and recovered what the sheriff's office called a large sum of money.

Capt. Rick Swiney of the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office said in a news release the robbery call came in at 10:44 a.m. for the Wells Fargo Bank at 2114 Cleveland Highway.

The robber, a white man, waved a handgun at bank employees and customers and demanded cash. He left the bank and was seen getting into a gold Ford Explorer "Sport Track" and traveling east on Dawnville Road.

Swiney said Deputy Beth Gomez was in the area of Dawnville Road and Highway 286 and met a similar vehicle, so she turned around and made a traffic stop. The suspect attempted to run but was tackled and taken into custody, Swiney said. Officers found the money in the floor and recovered a handgun as well, he said.

The suspect, James Gilbert Crick, 61, of Presley Road in Dalton, has been charged with armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and 12 counts of aggravated assault for pointing the firearm at bank customers and employees.

Swiney said the FBI is assisting in the investigation.

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