Jewelry thief described as “drag queen”

St Johns County sheriff’s deputies are searching for the man who committed a snatch-and-grab robbery early Sunday evening at Movado in the St Augustine Premium Outlets, according to an alert received by Historic City News this afternoon.

Employees in the store reported that they observed a man dressed as a woman as he entered the store at about 6:00 p.m.

“The man asked to see some watches with diamonds,” Kevin Kelshaw told local Historic City News reporters. “While holding one style of watch, he asked to see a second watch. The clerk opened the jewelry case and retrieved the second watch, however, when she went to exchange watches with the customer, he grabbed both watches and ran from the store.”

Witnesses at the scene described a getaway vehicle waiting outside that was occupied by at least two other persons of interest.

Surveillance cameras captured the image of the robber who was described as a 6’- 6’2” tall black man dressed as a “drag queen” wearing a long brown wig, earrings, makeup and nail polish. He reportedly has four gold teeth and a spider web tattoo on his upper chest and neck area. He was carrying a brown purse.

The Movado watches have a retail value of just under $7,000.

If you have any information as to the identity of the persons involved in this crime or their whereabouts, you can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 by calling Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-888-277-TIPS.

Please contact Detective Andrew Stoinoff of the St Johns County Sheriff’s Office at 904-209-2148 if you have any information about this robbery.