Deputies Search For Robbery Suspect
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating an armed robbery suspect.
On Tuesday, November 3, 2009, at approximately 4:58 p.m., deputies responded to the Publix Supermarket, located at 7070 College Parkway, Fort Myers, in reference to an armed robbery. Upon arrival, deputies met with a Publix employee who was working at the customer service counter when she was approached by a white male, later identified as Edward Maurice Hammond (DOB 7/12/64). The victim stated Hammond handed her a note implying he had a firearm and demanding money. The employee provided Hammond with an undisclosed amount of cash before he ran from the store.
As Hammond was leaving the store, another Publix employee pursued him and attempted to physically restrain him. However, Hammond was able to get away and drove from the scene in a red 1996 Mercury four-door bearing Florida license plate number N328SZ.
Due to the nature of the incident, detectives with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Robbery Unit assumed the investigation. Investigators met with several witnesses and gathered evidence from the scene. The subsequent investigation revealed Hammond as the suspect.
Hammond is described as a W/M, 5’6″, 160lbs, brown eyes, brown/gray hair. His last known address is 5636 7th Avenue, Fort Myers. Investigators believe Hammond may still be in the area of Pine Manor, although he may have fled for Georgia. He is considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with any information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at (239) 477-1000, or the Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers hotline at 1- 800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for up to $1,000 in cash rewards.
Source: Lee County Sheriff’s Office