Bradenton restaurant’s manager caught stealing cash on camera, police say
Police arrested the general manager of a downtown Bradenton restaurant Tuesday, accusing him of breaking in and stealing thousands of dollars from the restaurant where he worked.
William “Billy” Johnson, 43, is charged with burglary after police say he stole a deposit bag containing $3,500 from Oak & Stone, 1201 Barcarrota Blvd. He has worked as the restaurant’s general manager since January, police said.
A worker arrived Tuesday morning and found the front door unlocked, the safe open and empty and the bar’s cash register pried open, according to a news release from the Bradenton Police Department.
Police say the employee contacted Johnson, who claimed he had locked the restaurant at 12:45 a.m.. But detectives reviewed surveillance footage showing a man with his face covered entering the manager’s office at 5:44 a.m. and unplugging the security cameras.
Manager of Bradenton Oak & Stone arrested
Nearby surveillance footage showed what appeared to be the same man parking a Kia SUV registered to Johnson a few blocks away, then walking to the restaurant and unlocking the door with a key, police said. Ten minutes later, he left carrying a deposit bag, wiped the door handles and left the door unlocked, according to the release.
Officers arrested Johnson at his home, according to police. He declined to speak with detectives.
The case remains under investigation, according to BPD. Anyone with information can contact Detective Rachael Tobie at rachael.tobie@bradentonpd.com or leave an anonymous tip at ManateeCrimeStoppers.com or 866-634-TIPS.
This story was originally published April 30, 2025 at 2:43 PM.
