At 1:40 pm today the St. Augustine Police Department received a call about a robbery at 2199 North Ponce de Leon Blvd. While in route to that address Officer Michael Kettman observed a 2012 maroon Nissan near Ponce Blvd and Sanchez. This description matched a BOLO that was given out over the police radio.

Information was also given out about a w/m running southbound from the Sunoco Station at 2199 N. Ponce Blvd. Officers Tim Bryan and Daniel Lui gave foot chase to this suspect, later identified as Eric Rene Tirado 09-16-1977 of 2391 US 1 South Lot 11.

Officer Michal Ochkie responded to the Sunoco Station and started an investigation, gathering statements from the victim and eye witnesses to the robbery.

Officer Kettman and Officer John Niederriter secured two subjects that were in the Nissan after stopping it near the County Library on San Carlos Avenue.

Eye witnesses and the victim identified the three as the ones that were at the Sunoco Station.

The owner/ victim of the store said that he had asked Tirado to step outside the store so he could talk with him. Tirado is a frequent visitor to the Sunoco South store. While outside an argument ensued and Tirado reached into the owners pocket taking an unknown amount of cash. An eyewitness to this episode came over to the owner to help him as Tirado dove through the car window in an attempt to escape. The driver of the car, Richard William Palmer, 1-1-1989 of 5860 Datil Pepper Road started striking the owner and victim. Also, a passenger in the car was Lauren Elizabeth Parker 10-12-1987 of 4905 Moultrie Reserve Court, she was released without charges.

Eric Tirado has been charged with Robbery, Richard Palmer has been charged with Battery.

Source: St. Augustine Police Department