Norfolk, VA — A Virginia man has been found guilty of robbery using a firearm, conspiring to commit robbery, and resisting arrest in connection with a 2023 Norfolk bank heist that included a dramatic confrontation during his capture, which left an arresting officer with a broken wrist, according to officials.
On December 11, 2023, an accomplice, a woman who remains unidentified, walked into a credit union located in the Wards Corner area of Norfolk. Employing a menacing strategy, she handed a teller a note demanding cash under the threat of violence. The note starkly stated that the teller had one minute to comply or face potential harm.
Reacting quickly, the teller activated a silent alarm to notify the police and handed over $2,000 in cash along with a dummy bundle embedded with a GPS tracking device. The woman departed with the money, effectively initiating a high-stakes police chase captured on security cameras that showed her disguising her appearance with a black wig.
Authorities used the GPS tracker in the stolen money to pursue the suspect. The electronic breadcrumb trail led them to a gas station further north on Granby Street where police found Anton Demetrius Williams Jr., 23, exiting a car. Attempts to approach Williams spurred him to flee the scene on foot.
In their investigation, police discovered a receipt in the vehicle for a wig purchased from a local beauty supply store earlier that day, further linking Williams to the robbery. The law enforcement continued to track the moving GPS signal that ultimately remained with Williams, indicating his possession of the stolen money.
The capture of Williams involved a foot chase. Police testified that during the arrest, Williams physically resisted, and in the struggle that ensued, an officer sustained a broken wrist. Surveillance footage from the arrest location showed Williams attempting to hide an empty bank bag prior to his detention.
In court testimony, multiple pieces of evidence including the initial note, the GPS tracker, surveillance videos, and the receipt for the wig collectively flavored the prosecution’s case, leading to Williams’ conviction.
Following his conviction, Williams is now scheduled for a Pre-Sentence Report hearing on May 23, 2025, as he awaits sentencing which could significantly impact his future.
This narrative underscores the escalating challenges and risks law enforcement officers face as they work to maintain public safety, often confronting dangerous situations that can lead to severe injuries or worse.
The account above was compiled using artificial intelligence by Open AI. The details and individuals discussed may not align with actual events. Any factual errors or concerns about the content can be addressed by contacting [email protected] for corrections, retractions, or removal requests.