Police in South Carolina have apprehended the man who allegedly robbed a Slingerlands Trustco Bank last week.
Victor A. Shear was captured by the North Myrtle Beach Police Department and is being held pending extradition proceedings. The Bethlehem Police Department announced the arrest `was the result of continuous efforts of the Bethlehem Police Department and New York State Police.`
Detective Sergeant Adam Hornick of the Bethlehem Police Department said based on a lead, police were able to come up with a possible address for Shear. Police in South Carolina were contacted and apprehended him without incident.
`We also learned he was contemplating surrendering himself,` Hornick said. `Sometime in that close time period he took some efforts himself to be located, because I think he was feeling the pressure of us contacting all his friends and relatives.`
Hornick said police will have be able to release more details on the investigation once Shear is transported back to New York. They’re also looking into who may have aided Shear, as well as his potential involvement in a bank robbery in Sharon Springs earlier this year.
Police say Shear entered the Trustco on Wednesday, Aug. 21, displayed a handgun and demanded cash. Yesterday, Bethlehem police arrested an Amsterdam man they said helped Shear elude authorities.
Hornick credited the arrest to thorough police work. He noted police were able to identify Shear as a suspect within 24 hours of the robbery.
`I think he was tired of running,` Hornick said. `We left no stone unturned.`