Crime & Safety
Bank Robber Busted in Seconds, Deputies Say
A rather distinctive vehicle helped give him away.

Driving to a bank robbery in a vehicle that’s easy to spot might not be the best idea.
At least it wasn’t for a 53-year-old man Hillsborough County deputies say robbed a Florida Avenue bank Tuesday morning. According to the agency, an alarm call came in at 10:14 a.m. from the American Momentum Bank at 15150 N. Florida Ave.
It seems a man walked into the bank, approached a teller and handed over a demand note. After receiving cash, the man, an email from the sheriff’s office said, left the bank and got into his truck.
Find out what's happening in Carrollwood-Northdalefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
That truck was reported to deputies as being a 2006 white Ford pickup with lots of front end damage. The vehicle also had a ladder in its bed.
A deputy who responded “within seconds of the call” just happened to spot the truck described heading westbound on Bearss Avenue, the email said. The deputy followed the truck and made a traffic stop at the corner of Dale Mabry Highway and Bearss.
Find out what's happening in Carrollwood-Northdalefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The sheriff’s office said the man driving the truck was very cooperative and deputies were able to recover all the money taken in the robbery.
John Byron Tilghman now faces a robbery charge for his troubles, the sheriff’s office noted. He was being booked into the Hillsborough County Jail Tuesday afternoon.
Image via Shutterstock
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.