Suspect arrested in Clermont store robbery

GAINESVILLE - An alert citizen gets the credit for helping Hall County authorities nab an armed robbery suspect Thursday evening.

Hall County Sheriff's Sgt. Stephen Wilbanks said just two days after investigators released still photos and surveillance video of an armed robbery at a Clermont convenience store to the media, they were able to arrest Michael Allen Hoitink, 25, of Clermont.

Wilbanks said someone recognized Hoitink's vehicle on Ransom Free Road in north Hall County and called authorities.

"That was the key factor in making this arrest. Had it not been for that citizen spotting the vehicle driving down the road, the arrest wouldn't have happened," said Wilbanks.

Wilbanks said when deputies arrived in the area, they determined that Hoitink also was wanted on an unrelated Superior Court arrest order.

Hoitink remains in the Hall County Jail, charged with the armed robbery of the Country Grocery and Deli at 6531 Dahlonega Highway and also held for the Superior Court arrest order.