City of Fernandina Beach Police Department Press Release
Police Chief James T. Hurley
Submitted by James T. Hurley, Police Chief
On Monday August 20, 2012 the Fernandina Beach Police Department responded to the YMCA parking lot after a juvenile removed car keys from a workout area and then attempted to steal the victim’s vehicle from the parking lot.
The juvenile used the stolen key fob to locate the vehicle in the lot and was inside the car and attempting to leave the area when he was interrupted by the victim’s daughter. The suspect jumped from the vehicle and fled the area on a bicycle.
Once on the scene officers conducted a search of the immediate area, broadcasting suspect description and other information to responding officers. Sergeant Jon Hepler recognized the description, having seen the suspect minutes before the information was broadcast. He also recalled a similar event from a few years ago and noted that the suspect in that case resided in a residential area near the YMCA. A focused search turned up the bike that the suspect had been riding earlier, and the bicycle was found to be stolen from the Residence Inn on Sadler Road the night prior to this crime.
Eventually the juvenile suspect agreed to speak with Fernandina Beach police detectives. The suspect provided a full confession statement regarding the stolen bicycle and the attempt to steal the automobile. He also confessed to another incident that occurred on August 5, 2012 at the Days Inn on Sadler Road. In that case he admitted to stealing two Apple I-Pad’s, along with computer accessories. He also admitted to taking some vehicle keys, although no vehicle was reported stolen at this location.
Ikeim Kwame Middleton, sixteen years of age, of Fernandina Beach, Florida will be charged with (2) two counts of grand theft and (1) one count of attempted grand theft auto.
August 23, 2012 4:49 p.m.
City workers are mankig extensive efforts to eliminate flood waters, but the City Commission continues to push the the implementation of major stormwater improvements down the road. One of the recommended improvemnts North Dolphin to 9th would eliminate many of todays flood problems. We are now forced to pump flood waters onto the beach which can only have a negative environmental impact!