Two morning robberies may be related

St Augustine Police believe that two robberies, occurring in different parts of town, may be related; according to information received by Historic City News investigative reporters this morning.

Local reporters were on the scene just moments after a robbery occurred before 8:00 a.m. Monday morning at the Lil’ Champ convenience store on the corner of Riberia Street and King Street in St Augustine.

Officers were still interviewing witnesses and a clerk who was not injured during the robbery. The clerk was able to provide police with an accurate description of the robber that, police spokesman Mark Samson said, closely resembles the description provided earlier in the day by a clerk at the scene of another St Augustine convenience store robbery.

At 2:32 a.m., St Augustine Police responded to a robbery call at 800 South Ponce de Leon Boulevard; the Kangaroo Express. St Johns County Sheriff’s K-9 handler Farah Faucett assisted in the search of the area that had been quickly cordoned off.

The 54 year-old female store clerk and another employee were at the rear of the Kangaroo store when they heard the doorbell ring. As she approached the front counter, the clerk noticed a man crouched with the sleeve of his white t-shirt pulled over his head.

When the robber stood up, the clerk told police that he demanded the money from one of the cash registers. According to the clerk’s statement, the man said, “this is a robbery” and he patted his right pants pocket saying that he had a gun.

The clerk surrendered all of the bills in the register without injury.

Based on the description obtained from each witness, police say there is a good likelihood that they are dealing with one robber; and, further, thanks to videotaped surveillance footage reviewed this morning, they already have developed a suspect in the crimes.

Police are looking for a white man possibly in his 20’s that is approximately 5’10” and weighs about 140 lbs. The suspect has short, black hair and brown eyes. He has a thin build and a “pointed nose” according to witnesses. It is believed that the man who committed these robberies may be living in the area and may have frequented one or both of the convenience stores as a customer.

Anyone with any information concerning this crime or who may know the identity of those involved is asked to contact detectives with the St. Augustine Police Department at (904) 209-3482. You can remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a cash reward by calling CrimeStoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-(888) 277-TIPS.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer