for immediate release
January 6, 2004
N E W S R E L E A S E
A suspect in custody in Bay County has confessed to an armed
robbery in Destin
four days after Christmas. The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office is preparing a warrant
naming Gary Ted Williams, age 51 (3-5-1952), on one count of Armed Robbery in
connection with the December 29 holdup of "Island Interiors," 16055 Emerald Coast
Parkway.
Williams, on lifetime probation, was released from state prison the day after Christmas, 2002, after serving more than 12 years for several robberies in Polk, Hillsborough, Marion, Pinellas, Manatee, Orange, Sarasota, and Hernando Counties in central and south Florida. That string of holdups became known as the "Gentleman Robberies," because the victims described the suspect's manner as "polite."
Williams confessed to the Island Interiors robbery today (Tuesday), after he was arrested in connection with several recent robberies in the Panama City area.
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for more information contact Rick Hord, Public Information Officer
(850) 651-7420