Two Arrested for Dealing in Stolen Property

Robert L. Knowles
Jesse C. Allen

Submitted by

James T. Hurley, Chief of Police

On July 14, 2012 police received a report of a vehicle burglary from a residence driveway in the 2800 block of First Avenue.  The victim reported that his Apple MacBook computer and several other personal items were stolen from the car, valued at more than $1,300.00 dollars.

Three days later the victim was called and told that his computer had been purchased from Craig’s List and the caller was offering to sell the computer back to the victim for $200.00.  The caller advised that he knew the computer to be stolen and simply wanted to get it back to the rightful owner.

The following day police detectives contacted the caller and arranged to meet in order to retrieve the stolen computer and identify the offender.

On July 19th an undercover officer met with the suspect in a parking lot on Sadler Road.  The officer was able to recover the computer and a team of officer’s arrested the suspect without incident.

Robert L. Knowles, fifty-two years of age from Jacksonville, was arrested and charged with Dealing in Stolen Property.  He was taken to the Fernandina Beach Police Department for questioning and stated that he received the stolen property from his brother, Jessie C. Allen. Knowles said that he knew the property was stolen and that his brother had something to do with the theft. Knowles said that his brother was currently waiting at a local restaurant on Sadler Road. Officers responded to the location and took Allen into custody.

Jessie Allen, forty-nine years old, self-described as transient/homeless, was arrested and charged with Dealing in Stolen Property. Both subjects were later transported to the Nassau County Jail and both are being held on bond amounts of $15,000.00.

The Fernandina Beach Police Department is currently investigating similar burglary cases that appear to be linked with this case. Other victims report that computers and other items have been taken from motel rooms and vehicles near Sadler Road and South Fletcher Avenue in recent weeks. Detectives believe that Allen and other suspects may be involved.

July 20, 2012

3:15 p.m.