Suspect Arrested After Robbery Inside Church in Pace
Suspect Arrested After Robbery Inside Church in Pace
On 4/18/2012 at 1802 hours, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to 4187 Highway 90, Pace, FL (ImmanuelBaptistChurch) in reference to a robbery. Deputies were told that a male suspect entered the church and grabbed a cash box from a church member, which contained proceeds from a Fellowship Dinner that was taking place. The suspect fled from the church and fled the scene in a white Dodge pickup truck. One of the church members ran after the suspect and got into their vehicle and actively followed the suspect vehicle while relaying information to Sheriff’s Office dispatch. Deputies were able to intercept the suspect vehicle onFloridatown Roadnear Highway 90. Deputies conducted a felony traffic stop on the suspect vehicle and detained the suspect and a female passenger. Deputies also found that there was a female juvenile child in a car seat. The child was screaming and crying. Deputies calmed the child, while other deputies located the black money box inside the truck. The box contained $546.00 in cash, and approximately $100.00 in checks. Deputies read the female passenger (identified as Jessi Strength) her Miranda Rights and she agreed to speak with deputies about the incident. Strength stated that she and her daughter went toImmanuelBaptistChurchwith her ex-boyfriend/suspect so the suspect could try to get some gas money to drive back toAlabama. Strength remained in the truck with her daughter while the suspect went inside the church to talk with church members asking for gas money. A short time later, Strength observed the suspect running from the church. The suspect jumped into the vehicle and took off at a high rate of speed, while Strength asked him what he had done and what was going on. Strength stated that the suspect stated that he was “sorry” and “I can’t believe I just did that”. She stated that the suspect was driving recklessly and finally stopped on the side ofFloridatown Roadwhen he observed the deputies. Strength had no knowledge of what the suspect had done.
Deputies then read the suspect his Miranda Rights and he agreed to speak with deputies about the incident. The suspect provided deputies with a false name; however he was later identified as being Samuel Riley, 17 years of age. Riley told deputies that he was stranded in Pace with no money to get back toAlabama. Riley stated that he went to the church and began to ask members for gas money. Riley stated that members told him to stay until after the service and they would ask someone to see if they could assist him. Riley noticed the money box on a table where some church members were, and that it was full of money. Riley stated that he snatched the box from the table and ran to his vehicle. Riley stated that Strength had no knowledge as to what he had done. He also stated that Strength had asked him to stop the vehicle when he was driving recklessly.
Riley was transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail for processing, and then brought to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Pensacola. Riley was charged with Grand Theft, Robbery by Sudden Snatching, Cruelty Towards a Child, False information to Law Enforcement, and Criminal Mischief. The money box and contents was returned to the church.
Suspect: Samuel Aaron Riley, W/M, 5/03/94,Greenville,Alabama.
