Suspect in Publix liquor store robbery nabbed

A citizen tip generated during the manhunt for a robbery suspect in connection with Thursday’s armed robbery of Publix Liquors at Tuscan Way near Mill Creek has resulted in the apprehension of a 34 year-old St. Johns County man.

Brandon Emery Treece, whose last known address was 824 Eagle Point Drive, was located Saturday afternoon by St. Johns County Robbery Detectives after he was identified following the release of a surveillance photo on Friday.

Treece was located at a residence in the 300 block of Bostwick Circle. When the detective arrived, Treece answered the door wearing a hat similar to the one that was worn by the robber.

The victim of the robbery positively identified Treece’s burgundy Honda as the same vehicle that the robber used to flee from the robbery and identified the suspect from a photo lineup.

The liquor store clerk told deputies last Thursday that the robber entered the store shortly after 5:00 p.m. — walked around, picked up a bottle of whiskey and approached the counter. He demanded that the victim give him the money in the cash register. At first, the victim told investigators that she thought the subject was joking — however, he brandished a handgun and demanded the money, again.

The robber took an undisclosed amount of cash, and the bottle of whisky, then fled the store.

Treece remains in the St. Johns County jail in lieu of $50,000 bond