Deputies catch suspected bank robber

SUN CITY CENTER, Fla. - A suspected bank robber is under arrest after deputies reacted quickly and caught the fleeing man on I-75.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office says William Yates, 41, of Riverview, was arrested and charged with armed robbery after a brief pursuit, during which he threw some money out the window of his car.

Deputies say Yates walked into the Wachovia Bank at Sun City Plaza on S.R. 674 around 5:30 p.m. Friday and handed a teller a note demanding money.

According to deputies, Yates told the teller he had a gun and was handed an undisclosed amount of cash. Yates left the bank and a witness spotted him driving out of the parking lot in a red vehicle.

Deputies began searching the area within minutes and a red vehicle was seen shortly thereafter heading north on I-75. As a deputy began following the vehicle, the driver, later identified as Yates, started to throw cash out of the window.

Deputies say Yates exited the Interstate at Big Bend Road, pulled to the shoulder, and surrendered as additional patrol units surrounded his vehicle. He was taken into custody and was charged with armed bank robbery after being identified by bank employees.

Deputies recovered all of the stolen money and returned it to Wachovia.

The Sheriff's Office says detectives will investigate if Yates may be involved in other Tampa-area robberies.