Police say a parole violator with a drug problem is responsible for a string of armed robberies that escalated Monday with the holdup of a Hephzibah bank.

John Orestes Johnson, 43, was arrested Monday night in connection with robberies at three restaurants and Monday afternoon's holdup of Southern Bank on Georgia Highway 88 in Hephzibah, authorities said.

Police describe Mr. Johnson as a crack cocaine addict who left his wife a week ago because he knew he was being sought for violating parole.

"He told her he wasn't coming back," said Investigator Steve Fanning, of the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. "He left a week ago, so he needs money for the motels and money for the crack."

Mr. Johnson was paroled from prison in November 2000 after serving 3 1/2 years of a 10-year prison sentence for conspiracy and theft. He was living with his wife in the 700 block of Bennock Mill Road until last week, police said.

Investigators said he went on a robbery spree during the weekend, walking into fast-food restaurants and demanding money from cashiers. Police say he is responsible for weekend robberies at a KFC on Wrightsboro Road, a Subway on Washington Road and Monday's early-morning robbery at the Waffle House at 3042 Washington Road.

After getting only about $100 at each place, police said, he targeted Southern Bank at 1:20 p.m. Monday.

"He kind of had a smile on his face," customer James Alderman said. "This guy was in, and he was out. It took about 45 seconds."

Witnesses told police that the robber used a box top to collect the money and that some of the stolen cash flew into the air as he ran across the parking lot.

Reach Greg Rickabaugh at (706) 828-3851 or greg.rickabaugh@augustachronicle.com.