for immediate release
January 14, 2004
N E W S R E L E A S E
A suspect has been arrested, more than two years after robberies at two
McDonald's restaurants. Patrick Devon Baldwin, age 38 (5-4-1965), was arrested today
(Wednesday) at his residence, 308 Woodrow Street, Fort Walton Beach.
Baldwin faces two counts of Armed Robbery, accused of robbing the McDonald's at 31 Eglin Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, on December 1, 2001; and the McDonald's at 711 East US Highway 98, Destin, on December 30, 2001.
A confidential tip received via Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers in June, 2002, resulted in the arrest of Baldwin's wife in connection with the October 12, 2001 robbery of the Books-A-Million store on Emerald Coast Parkway in Destin. Further investigation developed sufficient probable cause for a search warrant to obtain DNA standards from Baldwin in connection with the two McDonald's robberies. Analysis of DNA evidence recovered from articles of clothing discarded by the fleeing suspect at both McDonald's holdups then linked Baldwin to those two incidents.
Baldwin's wife, Kendell McSheehy Baldwin, age 23 (2-28-1980), is currently serving a three year prison term for the Books-A-Million robbery. She is scheduled for release this April.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Fort Walton Beach Police Department assisted in the investigation.
-30-
for more information, contact Sgt. Rick Hord, Public Information Officer
(850) 651-7420