- May 5, 2024
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Deputies have arrested 30-year-old St. Augustine resident Tyrone Hunter in connection with the Oct. 6 robbery of the Kays Jewelers store in Palm Coast.
Hunter has been arrested multiple times in Putnam County for crimes including burglary, trespassing and resisting an officer, according to Putnam County jail records.
“This is a great example of how technology-led policing and good old fashioned police work solve crimes,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. “This guy thought he could come into Flagler County and commit a robbery and get away with it. But thanks to the excellent work of our crime analysts and detectives, we secured a warrant for his arrest. Our law enforcement partners in Putnam were able to take him into custody for us and he’ll soon be in the Green Roof Inn where he belongs.”
Two Kay Jeweler employees told deputies that a man, later identified as Hunter, had entered the store asking to see some gold chains on display. Both described Hunter as extremely “shaky” during their interactions and gave deputies a description of the suspect.
An employee told deputies that she took one of the gold chains out of the display case to give Hunter a closer look.
Hunter asked if he could try the chain on, but the employee told him that due to COVID-19 guests were not allowed to try on items. Hunter snatched the gold chain and display from the employee and ran out of the store.
Witnesses and store surveillance verified the employee’s version of events and captured the suspect speeding away in a red Nissan truck.
Further investigation later revealed the Hunter had visited the Cobblestone Village Kay Jewelers in St. Augustine before the robbery. He also asked about gold chains there, but ultimately left empty handed.
FCSO detectives and crime analysts identified the owner of the red Nissan truck as Leroy Hunter and were also able to place the truck at both the Palm Coast and St. Augustine Kay Jewelers on Oct. 6.
On Oct. 13, detectives spoke with Leroy Hunter, who confirmed the red Nissan was his and that his son, Tyrone Hunter, uses it regularly.
Leroy Hunter also told deputies that there is a GPS device monitoring the trucks movements. The GPS device confirmed that the truck was at the Palm Coast and St. Augustine Kay Jewelers locations on Oct. 6 within the times of the reported incidents.
Tyrone Hunter denied any involvement, but claimed he may have been set up and that his friend had used the truck that day.
On Oct. 14, detectives returned to the Palm Coast Kay Jewelers and conducted a photo line-up.
Both employees identified Tyrone Hunter as the suspect. This, combined with other evidence, enabled the FCSO to obtain a felony warrant for Tyrone Hunter's arrest.
FCSO deputies worked with law enforcement agencies in Putnam County to track down an address where Tyrone Hunter was staying.
Putnam County Sheriff’s Office deputies located and arrested Hunter. He is awaiting transfer to the Flagler County jail.
