According to Morrison the Jackson Police Department was called by the Bank of Amador at approximately 11:20 am to report that they had been robbed. Staff from the bank gave the Police Department dispatcher a general description of the suspect. Two persons, in separate locations in the city, were then stopped and detained, as they matched the general description of the suspect given by bank employees. Those two persons were then released upon the JPD receiving a more detailed description.

While the Jackson Police personnel were conducting further investigation at the crime scene, allied law enforcement agencies assisted the JPD in the continued search for the suspect. At approximately 11:45 am Amador County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Charles Ray radioed he had stopped a person matching the general description of the suspect on the shoulder of northbound Hwy 88/49 across from Play it Again Sports.

Once on scene with Sgt Ray and Sheriff’s Deputy Rice, Sgt. Ray advised Jackson Chief Morrison that he had observed the suspect walking from Detert Park and onto the Highway shoulder. Sgt. Ray advised Chief Morrison that it appeared that the suspect had a large sum of currency in his possession. Chief Morrison received consent from the suspect to remove the currency. Upon removing the currency from one of the suspect’s pants pockets, inspection of the currency revealed that it had, indeed, come from the Bank of Amador.

While the suspect was being detained along the roadside, other evidence, which included a bank surveillance photographs, were produces. This led to a positive identification of the suspect, William Whitaker, 43 years old of Valley Springs after the identification of the Whitaker by bank staff.

Detective Chris Mynderup and local FBI agents then transported Whitaker to a secure location for an interview. Whitaker was cooperative during that interview according to Chief Morrison. While the interview was taking place, Sgt Christy Stidger and Sgt Todd Breedlove continued searching the general area for evidence. Sgt. Breedlove discovered specific items of evidence that had been discarded by the suspect near the Amador County Library’s Jackson Branch. Suspect Whitaker was later transported to the Amador County Jail for booking on charges of robbery with the use of force or fear. Although the suspect did not appear to use a firearm in the commission of this robbery, he used means to threaten that he did have the capability. No one was physically injured during the robbery.

All of the money stolen during the robbery was recovered from suspect Whitaker. Upon completion of the investigation, this case will be forwarded to the Amador County District Attorney’s office for prosecution. Further actions by the FBI are still under consideration since the subject does have prior convictions (plural) for bank robbery. The Jackson Police Department is asking that any witnesses who have not spoken to law enforcement personnel, to please call the Jackson Police Department at 223-1771.

According to Chief Morrison the Jackson Police Department is very appreciative of  assistance of the Amador County Sheriff’s Department, Sutter Creek PD and the CHP. They are especially appreciative to Amador County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Charles Ray, who ultimately located and apprehended the suspect.