Man steals handgun and threatens two before arrest

Early Wednesday morning, investigators informed Historic City News reporters that they believe 47-year-old Waring Elliott Barbee stole a handgun from his employer without the victim’s knowledge.

At 11:45 a.m., a driver on Old Moultrie Road was slowed by a vehicle in front of him. As the driver maneuvered to pass the slower vehicle, sheriff’s detectives say Barbee, who was hiding in the back seat of the slower vehicle, revealed himself, and pointed the weapon at the passing driver. No shots were fired.

At 1:35 p.m. Barbee arrived at a residence in the 2600 block of San Juan Drive, reportedly looking for an ex-girlfriend and her current boyfriend. Deputies at the scene spoke to a woman who reported that Barbee confronted her, pulled out the stolen handgun, threatened her with it, and then fired one time. No injuries were reported.

Deputies took Barbee into custody and transported him to the St Johns County Detention Facility, where he is facing felony charges; including two counts of aggravated assault and one count of grand theft of a firearm.

Barbee, who resides at 9521 US-1 South, remains in custody at this time. During a first appearance this morning, bail was set at $25,000.