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Armed robbery suspect appears before judge in Jacksonville

Deputies: Taylor Ryan, 22, threatened Walmart employee with knife

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 22-year-old man who police say threatened a Walmart employee with a knife during a robbery was arrested on the Southside late Friday night, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Saturday, Taylor Austin Ryan appeared before a judge. He is facing a charge of armed robbery with a deadly weapon with a bond of $250,000. He's also charged with fleeing attempting to elude a law enforcement officer with marked vehicle lights and siren with a $10,000 bond, and  reckelss driving with a bond of $1,508.

Police say Ryan robbed a Walmart on Philips Highway south of Emerson Street on Thursday. Officers identified him based on photo footage and had been tracking him.

"Tonight a little after 8 p.m., we received information that identified his whereabouts and the vehicle he was driving. We intercepted his vehicle on JTB and San Pablo.  We attempted to do a traffic stop and he resisted by fleeing," said Lt. Larry Kitchen, of JSO.

Police said Ryan led them on a chase Friday evening from Jacksonville into Ponte Vedra Beach, then crashed into a home on Solana Road near A1A.

Investigators said Ryan ran away after the crash.

"A little after 10 p.m. we received word he was able to call someone and that person picked him up and transported him to Woodhollow Apartments off Hodges Blvd. We dispatched officers, they canvassed the complex, they saw him, he saw the policemen," said Kitchen.

No description found

Kitchen said Ryan ran again and they chased him. They were able to capture and subdue him.

Police said a woman was in the car with Ryan when he crashed into the Ponte Vedra Beach home.

"I don't know the relationship but it's my understanding she was a passenger.  She was transported to the robbery office to be debriefed.  It's the same woman we believe was in the car with him yesterday when he committed the robbery at the Walmart," said Lt. Kitchen.

Police said they weren't sure who Ryan called to pick him up from Ponte Vedra Beach on Friday evening.

Ryan was arrested and taken to the Duval County Jail.

"He has a robbery charge pending in reference to the incident that occurred in the Walmart, he has fleeing and attempting to elude. FHP will put charges on. What those charges are, I don't know," said Kitchen. "It's my understanding he also has an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on a felony charge in St. Johns County that he was aware of."

St. Johns County deputies were thankful no one was seriously injured during the pursuit.

"Well it's always a great night anytime someone like this breaks free and no one's hurt. We've got some dented cars, those can be repaired. That's okay. You know, given the speeds and given the dynamic of this case we're very thankful no one got hurt," said Commander Chuck Mulligan with the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.

Ryan was expected to make his first appearance in court on Saturday.


About the Author

Emmy-nominated journalist Kristin Cason joined the News 6 team in June 2016.

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