CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Three people have been arrested and one is being sought in connection with the robbery and shooting of an Orange Park man last month.
Dramil Smith, 19, Corlis Thompson, 26, and Toccara Lockhart, 19, are charged with armed robbery and aggravated battery in the March 23 robbery and shooting of Roger Waldman, who met Lockhart online, deputies said.
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Clay County deputies said they're trying to identify and arrest the fourth suspect. They said all four suspects are from Jacksonville.
Deputies said the suspects robbed Waldman at gunpoint and stole his wallet and a cash box from his office. They said Smith then shot Waldman in the right shoulder and struck him several times in the head.
Deputies said Waldman met Lockhart that night after setting up a date. They said he bought her food, then took her back to his office.
Lockhart told deputies he was in his office for a short time, when he went outside, he was jumped and robbed by two men. He said he struggled to get away and was the shot and beaten.
"I'm just thankful I'm alive," Waldman said. ""I just had a new baby, so I don't know what would have happened. I'm just thankful to be alive to be with my family."
Waldman lives with his mother and they have been living in fear knowing these suspects were still at larger. She says they've learned not to trust dating websites as a safe way to meet people.
"Anyone out there don't use these dating sites. I've realized that the criminal element is using these dating sites to lure men and women in so they can take them out and rob them," said Mary Walker.
Channel 4 spoke spoke with internet security expert Chris Hamer about this issue. He says while it might seem impossible to screen people online, there can be things to look for.
Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to call the Clay County Sheriff's Office at 904-264-6512 to be connected to the agency's robbery-homicide section.