Escape cut short by observant motorist

Historic City News was notified by Sheriff’s spokesman Kevin Kelshaw that a 17-year old St. Johns County teen was arrested on a charge of robbery by sudden snatching late this morning.

Julius Franz Moore III, who resides at 834 Queen Road in St. Augustine, was booked into the St. Johns County Detention Facility on the felony charge — then turned over to Juvenile Justice authorities.

Victim Advocate Donna Hazel was driving on US-1 South, in the area of Gerona Road, about 11:40 a.m. when she observed Moore, who was running north on US-1, and saw him dart behind a building.

Hazel was stopped by the victim, a 16 year-old girl, who told her that “an acquaintance” had just snatched $30 from her hand and took off running. At that time, Moore appeared from behind the building and began running down Segovia Road.

Kelshaw told Historic City News that several deputies converged on the area and secured the suspect at gunpoint.

The victim told deputies that she was in a nearby pawn shop obtaining a $30 loan against her bicycle. Moore approached the victim, snatched the $30 from her hands and ran from the store.