HCN obtains details from yesterday’s robbery-murder

Historic City News has learned that yesterday, after only two months on his new job, St Augustine Police Officer Johnathan Brown was dispatched to a robbery call at the Tobacco and Beverage Express located at 70 Masters Drive.

He would not be the only law enforcement officer to become involved in the investigation, capture and arrest of those responsible for this senseless crime.

At 2:00 p.m., the clerk on duty in the convenience store was 29-year-old Malav Desai. This was a new job for Desai, as well. He lived on Michelangelo Drive in St Augustine, having moved here from North Carolina. He was engaged and looking forward to his upcoming wedding and starting a family.

Before additional officers arrived, Officer Michal Ochkie noted that she was receiving word of numerous 9-1-1 calls and witnesses reporting a black SUV fleeing the scene at a high rate of speed.

Officer Ochkie arrived on the scene about the same time as Sheriff’s Commander Robert Stewart. Ochkie observed several people wandering in the parking lot and on Josiah Street next to the store. Stewart secured the parking lot while Ochkie entered the store.

Sheriff’s Commander Gregory Beaver was already inside, behind the counter, near Desai’s lifeless body. A St. Johns County Fire Rescue supervisor confirmed that Desai was dead; apparently shot in the head. The District 23 Medical Examiner will perform an autopsy to determine the exact cause and manner of death.

Stewart informed Ochkie that there were five witnesses to the robbery and shooting. Corporal Jim Giammarinaro extended the crime scene to include Josiah Street between Masters Drive and Spring Street while Ochkie separated the witnesses and collected statements.

One witness was inside the store when the suspect had come in. She stated that as soon as he came inside, the assailant ordered everyone to the ground. She stated that she noticed that he was wearing something on his face, but that she did not look very close because she was scared.

Another female witness reported that, as she was entering the store, the robber grabbed her shirt in the back, then placed what she thought was a gun to her head. He pushed her through the front door. She stated that once they got inside the store and then ordered her to the ground. At that time she noticed that the robber had light skin.

One male witness told Ochkie that he arrived in the area a little before 2:00 p.m. and spotted his friend “TJ” sitting on the tree stump on the north side of the store. According to the statement, they talked very briefly and the witness went next door to the food bank at 78A Masters Drive. When he came back outside, the witness noticed a black SUV parked close to the tree. He thought it was a customer in the store. He stated that he heard what sounded like a “pop” and then saw a Hispanic, or possibly light-skinned black man, as he exited the store.

The witness described the man as wearing a red bandanna over his mouth, “like they used to wear in the old Wild West movies”. The man was said to be “tall and skinny” and was wearing a blue shirt. The man traveled around the back of the vehicle and got into the passenger side. The vehicle left the scene, traveling westbound on Josiah Street, according to the witness.

A city employee who was in the area about the time of the incident told police that he was passed by two vehicles at a high rate of speed, one of which matched the description of the black SUV.

Patrolman Douglas Tyus interviewed a beer deliveryman who was inside the store during the robbery and murder. The statement says that he heard “a male voice” tell two customers to “get on the floor”.

The deliveryman ran into the back room and dialed 9-1-1. He could hear the robber yelling at the clerk to hurry and give him the money. About 15 seconds went by and he heard a bang and the door chime. He described the robber as standing about 6-feet tall, slender build, wearing a red bandanna, blue hoodie and carrying a small pistol with a wooden handle.

A police manhunt ended a couple of hours later when the two teenage occupants of the Black Jeep SUV were captured in Clay County. It has not been determined what or how much money has been taken from the store.

Historic City News editor Michael Gold interviewed the victim’s brother; who provided additional details for this article and the photograph. He said that the murder of his brother was “a huge loss”. He asked that we not publish his name, or the name of his brother’s fiancé, which we will honor. About his brother’s killers, he said “They should not be free on any chance”. When informed about the age of the two assailants, he said, “I hope the suspects won’t be on trial as juveniles”.