Sheriff searches for Fredrick Michael Lawrence

Historic City News has learned that an arrest warrant was obtained late yesterday afternoon for a St. Johns County man who is accused of stealing two necklaces from an outlet mall jewelry store on Saturday and is implicated in other area crimes.

Fredrick Michael Lawrence was positively identified by one of his victims through a photographic lineup earlier this week. The 39 year-old, who was last known to live at 600 Sundown Circle, is a suspect in several other thefts and strong arm robberies in three Northeast Florida Counties.

Sheriff’s detectives obtained the arrest warrant after acquiring evidence and witness statements from the crime scene at the Zales store located at 500 Prime Outlets Boulevard in St. Augustine last weekend.

Shortly before 3:00 p.m. last Saturday, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Kevin Kelshaw says that Lawrence entered Zales and requested a necklace to try on. While still wearing the necklace, he asked to try on a second necklace from the display case, according to a witness statement.

When the clerk removed the second piece of jewelry, Lawrence is alleged to have grabbed it and run out of the store with both necklaces valued at over $5,000. Lawrence was seen getting into a white pickup truck; identified as belonging to him.

Lawrence is a suspect in a similar theft that occurred Tuesday evening at Kay Jewelry located in the Cobblestone Village Shopping Center at 340 CBL Drive, as well as others that occurred in Clay and Duval Counties. Police are investigating Lawrence as a suspect in the theft of a woman’s jewelry from St. Augustine Beach — jewelry that was later sold at a Clay County pawn shop.

Anyone with any information concerning these crimes or the whereabouts of Fredrick Lawrence is asked to contact the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office at (904) 824-8304. You can remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a cash reward by calling in information to CrimeStoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-888-277-TIPS (8477).

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News contributed photograph