ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Detectives are investigating a string of robberies in downtown St. Augustine, including the latest one in which two girls were robbed at gunpoint near the Castillo de San Marcos fort, according to the city's Police Department.
Police said one arrest has been made, but they're still searching for several other people linked to different robberies that took place over the last several weeks.
William Matthew Lucas, 27, was arrested on a charge of armed robbery, the St. Augustine Police Department said. He was booked into the St. Johns County Jail on Jan. 30 and ordered held on $100,000 bond.
Last month, two males approached another man and demanded money about 8:45 p.m. Jan. 28, police said. The victim tried to run away but was punched and kicked several times before the two men ran off, police said.
The victim suffered several deep cuts to his head, but nothing was stolen from him.
About 30 minutes later, a second robbery was reported, in which a victim was grabbed by a man and thrown to the ground on Carrera Street, police said. The man was described as being a young black male who was possibly a student.
About 6:30 p.m. Feb. 4, police said, a white man and a young black man came from behind a dumpster near St. George Street and Artillery Lane and approached a person, demanding money. When the victim tried to run, one of the men struck the victim in the back of the head, then they both ran through the parking lot toward Bridge Street, according to the Police Department.
Later that evening, police said, another robbery occurred about 10 p.m. at the Castillo de San Marcos fort.
Investigators said two girls and a man were were walking behind the fort when they were asked for a lighter by a white male, who then pulled out a pistol and ordered the victims to get on their knees.
One of the three victims was able to run off, but another was struck in the head with the gun, police said.
The armed man took the victims' phones, a purse and a wallet, detectives said, then ran off onto Water Street, where he got into a silver or gold small SUV with a gold emblem, like a Chevrolet or Toyota Highlander.
The safety of the nation's oldest city, where thousands of tourists visit every month, has now come into question after the four robberies.
News4Jax spoke with a couple, both of whom are originally from Detroit, who said they walk near the fort every night and aren't worried.
"I'm a former Detroit police officer, and I like to pride myself that I have a little eye for trouble that might be happening," said Robert Stewart, who now lives in St. Augustine. "So I keep my eye open."
The couple said they hope the robberies are just isolated incidents.
"We're not going to be out looking for trouble. But we wouldn't be in places that are dark or places that are where other people aren't," Anne Solomon said.
Detectives continue to investigate and are searching the downtown area for surveillance video from the time of the robberies.
Anyone with information about any of the robberies is asked to anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-8477.