NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
December 31, 2007
Contact: Michele Nicholson
Public Information Officer
(850) 651-7420
SUSPECT IN ARMED ROBBERY SPREE ARRESTED
Tyler
Pratt
The
Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office has charged a Fort Walton Beach man in
connection with three armed robberies overnight. 23-year old Stuart Tyler Pratt
of 119 NE Kiwi Place is accused of using a knife at three separate businesses in
the county in an attempt to steal cash.
The first armed robbery took place around 2:10 Monday morning at the Tom
Thumb convenience store at 609 James Lee Boulevard in Fort Walton Beach. The
clerk says a young white male approached the counter, produced a knife and
demanded money. The clerk refused to hand any over and the man ran out.
The second hold-up was about five minutes later at the Tom Thumb store
located at 100 Miracle Strip Parkway in Mary Esther. The suspect got away with a
small amount of cash.
The third robbery occurred at 3:15 a.m. at Denny's Restaurant, 543
North Eglin Parkway in Fort Walton Beach.
A short time later, a report came in of another robbery in the city of
Fort Walton Beach. An Okaloosa Sheriff's deputy spotted a car that matched the
description of the suspect's vehicle, a black P-T Cruiser, at the intersection
of Beal Parkway and Mary Esther Cut-off and pulled it over. Another deputy who
arrived recognized the driver, identified as Stuart Pratt, as the suspect
captured in security camera footage taken from one of the businesses.
Deputies say Pratt blamed the crime spree on a crack cocaine addiction.