WEAR TV
June 21, 2014
Pensacola Police have arrested a man who punched a female in the face Wednesday afternoon when he robbed a business.
Vincent Lavon Johnson, 41, of Pensacola, was taken into custody around 8:15 a.m. today in the 3000 block of North Roosevelt Street.
He was charged with felony battery, strong-arm robbery and burglary.
The robbery occurred around 3:15 p.m. Wednesday at Boost Mobile, 5039 Bayou Blvd.
Officer Greg Gordon said Johnson entered, walked around, put his phone in his pocket, approached a counter, reached over the counter, and punched store employee Jessica Smith, 35, in the face.
Johnson then demanded Smith tell him how to open the register.
She complied and he took some money and the store phone before leaving the business.
Smith, who is pregnant, was taken to a local hospital for treatment of a broken nose.
The Pensacola Police Department received several tips identifying Johnson after a video showing the incident was distributed among media for broadcast.
The video also was shared multiple times on Facebook, said Capt. David Alexander.
Officer Martez Lawrence said officers were in the 3000 block area of North Roosevelt Street around 7:15 a.m. today after one of the tipsters said police might find Johnson there.
Lawrence was sitting in his cruiser when he saw the suspect, who was wearing the same shorts and shoes as he had on Wednesday, running away from him.
Johnson was able to evade officers, but a K-9 track by Officer James Parsons and his partner Jannus led police to a home in the 3000 block of North Roosevelt where he was found hiding inside.