Ware missing: Search on for ex-convict

Timothy Johnson, who has been known to go by “Tip Johnson” or “Slick Rick”, and at one time lived on West Madison Street in Palatka, is being sought by robbery-homicide detectives in St. Johns County according to an alert received by Historic City News today.

Sheriff’s media relations officer Kevin Kelshaw reported that Johnson is a 6’3″ 40 years-old black man who has black hair and brown eyes, was last known to weigh about 192 pounds and has tattoos including the letter “C” on his left arm and “Tip” and “Rick” on his right arm.

Johnson has been named as a “person of interest” in the disappearance of 34 year-old St. Augustine resident Rebecca Ann Ware who has been missing since she left work on October 29th.

Kelshaw told Historic City News crime reporters that Ware was reported as “missing” by her family members the following week.

Johnson was a boyfriend of Ware and, at one time the two resided together.

Detectives are aware of “many details and persons who have connections to this case”, however, Kelshaw said Johnson is the only person of interest.

Prior to being released on February 1, 2007, Johnson was in custody at the New River Correctional Institution in Bradford County serving two, twenty-two year sentences – one for kidnapping and the other for attempted first degree murder during the commission of a felony, as well as a five year sentence for aggravated assault with a weapon. Those offenses occurred September 14, 1991. Johnson had only served fifteen years in prison. Johnson had been in custody on those charges since August 5, 1992.

Previously, in July of 1988, Johnson was convicted of sexual battery while using a weapon or force in Putnam County, for which he was sentenced to three years in prison. Johnson was released by the Department of Corrections on March 1, 1990.

Foul play is suspected in Ware’s disappearance, according to Kelshaw, since her vehicle was located in the parking lot of the Wildwood Drive Publix Supermarket.

St. Johns County Sheriff’s Detectives Charles Brantley and George Harrigan are asking for anyone with information concerning this investigation to contact them at 824-8304. 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 enhanced FL DOC photograph