Accused Spring Hill bank robber has history of debt, traffic tickets
SPRING HILL –
Demetrio Crespo once owed thousands of dollars in child support and amassed a mountain of credit card debt.
He’s also has been issued at least 16 traffic citations.
Authorities on Monday added accused bank robber to his extensive legal record.
Shortly before 4 p.m., Crespo, 42, entered the Bank of America at 7184 Mariner Blvd. in Spring Hill, passed a note to a teller and told her he had a gun, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.
More than $2,700 in cash was handed to Crespo, who was seen leaving the area in a green Mercury Sable, deputies said.
Five minutes after the emergency call was made, a sheriff’s detective saw the car traveling south along California Street and pulled it over at the Powell Road intersection, according to an arrest affidavit.
Crespo, who lives at 3211 Windbrook Ave. in Spring Hill, made several voluntary statements to the detective, which were stricken from the affidavit.
He was arrested and then refused to make any further comments without his attorney present, deputies said.
In December 2008, Crespo owed more than $6,000 to Arrow Financial, a collection agency that inherited the debt from Providian National Bank, according to records provided by the Hernando County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Those same records revealed the lawsuit was filed by the plaintiff based on an earlier credit card agreement Crespo was unable to pay.
Ten years earlier, Crespo had reportedly failed to pay child support for a full year.
As of April 1998, he owed more than $2,000, according to court records.
Sixteen months later, he wrote a letter alleging he was being billed twice for a $94 clerk’s fee.
“I cannot afford to pay it again,” he wrote.
“It is very difficult for me to go outside of my budget,” Crespo continued in his letter. “I hope you can understand my situation.”
The case was eventually closed.
His chain of traffic charges – which stretches as far back as 1993 – includes speeding, driving without a valid registration, failure to drive within a single lane, no proof of insurance and not wearing a seatbelt, according to public records.
In July 2007, he was charged with littering.
Deputies said a dark jacket, red baseball cap and dark sunglasses were in plain view inside Crespo’s vehicle when he was arrested. Video surveillance at the bank showed the suspect was wearing all three when the robbery took place.
Crespo’s bail was set at $10,000.
His arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 20.
