Two Hastings teens arrested for local robbery
Historic City News has received an alert that two teens have been arrested in connection with the armed robbery of a 44-year old Hastings man — both are in custody in the St Johns County Detention Facility in St Augustine in lieu of $55,000 bail, each.
The arrests come on the heels of an investigation begun on March 2, 2012, when the victim, who must use a cane to walk, reported that he was robbed, at gunpoint, while he was walking north on North First Street.
Delvin Devonte Wells, 18, 813 N. Main St., and Eric Purnell Gilyard Jr., 19, 702 Hensley St. were booked into the St Johns County Jail on third-degree felony larceny charges and first-degree felony robbery charges.
Some cash and a handgun were stolen from the victim during the robbery.
The victim was able to describe and identify the two men who robbed him. Deputy William Lennon Jr. who was on patrol in the area, recognized the pair from previous encounters.
During the course of the investigation that followed, a warrant was obtained for the arrest of both Wells and Gilyard.
Sheriff’s spokesperson Cpl. Catherine Payne told reporters that the victim was not injured during the robbery.