Fernandina Beach Police Department
Press Release
James T. Hurley, Chief
July 27, 2016 8:42
The Fernandina Beach Police Department has charged an individual with Petit Theft after completing their investigation into the theft of a wallet from the Green Turtle Tavern in downtown Fernandina Beach last Thursday night.
Lee Barron Williams, Jr., 46 years of age, of 518 South 5th Street, confessed to taking the wallet and fleeing the Green Turtle Tavern on a bicycle. A local man, Thaxton Rowe, heard the commotion and gave chase, eventually recovering the wallet for the victim. Williams claimed that he did not take the wallet from the victim’s person, as reported, but rather that the wallet fell to the ground and he picked it up and ran with the intent to steal the contents.
At this time investigators do not believe that Williams is responsible for a separate purse snatch offense which occurred several weeks ago in the same area of town. That investigation remains open.
Anyone with information about this offense should call Detective Sergeant Tracey Hamilton at 904-310-3215.
Quick and fast work by the FBPD. Great job Blue!
Mr. Williams is somewhat of a fixture in the southern part of the uptown historic district. He does odd jobs for neighbors, rides his bike around and walks his dog. He obviously suffers from having reduced cognitive abilities and perhaps has substance abuse issues. Neither of which, of course, should totally absolve him of his actions. I hope, however, that justice in this case is tempered with mercy.
Seems like FBPD have already been tempered in their actions by charging him with the lesser of petit theft rather than robbery if the victim’s version of the incident of being pick-pocketed is correct. I think the lesser charge is a misdemeanor and the latter is a felony but it may also depend on the amount of money in the wallet.
Also glad that Mr. Rowe didn’t suffer any injuries in his pursuit. Many, many years ago when I was working at a family-owned pharmacy in GA, a woman came in and presented a prescription for narcotics. The pharmacist was a bit suspicious about the legitimacy of the Rx and whispered to me to delay her while he called the doctor. I requested some additional information and her driver’s license saying it was required for such medications. During the delay I noticed a guy came in the drugstore and seemed to be keeping an eye on what was happening from a nearby aisle. The woman got antsy and finally bolted out the door followed by the guy. I went out after them just trying to get a vehicle description and license number. The woman jumped in the a waiting car which took off so I began chasing the guy as the car was maneuvering to pick him up. He got away but the group was apprehended later that day based on the information on the lady’s legitimate drivers license. The guy told the detective that “if that guy chasing me got any closer I was about to turn around and shoot him.” Lesson learned for me.
am extremely sorry to read this!——-mr.” b” is my neighbor & a friend & has been doing odd jobs for me for years—-he is a non aggressive individual who does get frustrated sometimes because of his inability to express & perform many functions—but will work his b—- off at what he is asked to do & is always ready to work—–this surely was a weak moment for him because my knowledge of him is that he would call attention to the ‘dropped wallet’—-which i believe is a correct version as to what happened?? hope for a reasonable outcome & a lesson learned
I’ve known Mr Williams (Mr B) for several years. He does odd jobs for me plus helps me with my handicapped wife. He’s always courteous and friendly. Like many people,
I feel sure this was just a weak moment for him. Most likely, Mr B, being jailed has served both justice and punishment too.