Robbery suspect apprehended aided by witness testimony

St Augustine Police reported to Historic City News that a homeless man, who was brutally beaten and robbed in the woods behind Broudy’s Liquors on Ponce de Leon Boulevard last Thursday, February 19th, has been able to identify his assailant — with assistance from two witnesses to the crimes.

The victim, two witnesses, and 22-year-old Michael Lewis Gardner, were together in the wooded area near the railroad tracks; when, according to the arrest report, the victim offered to go to the store and buy one of the witnesses a Coca Cola.

Apparently, Gardner gave the victim a dollar to make the purchase. The witnesses told police that the victim was too drunk to make it up to the store and back, so Gardner demanded his $1.00. Tempers flared, threats were hurled, then Gardner, who is described as 6-feet tall weighing about 195-pounds, began beating the victim; punching and stomping on the victim’s face and neck, causing the right clavicle, left cheek bone, and a few other bones, to be broken.

After beating him unconscious, Gardner reportedly reached inside the victim’s pockets and removed the victim’s wallet and cell phone. Gardner took $35.00 in cash that was inside, then left the wallet. He carried away the Samsung Pre-paid flip phone, a value less than $300.00; by force, violence, assault, and putting the victim in fear, with the intent to permanently or temporarily deprive of its use and custody, the owner of the property.

Yesterday, based on the victim and witness statements and the visual evidence of the facial injuries of the victim while taking the report at Flagler Hospital Emergency Department, police placed Gardner under arrest and charged him with robbery and felony battery. Gardner remains in custody in lieu of $35,000 bond.