Melbourne Police Nab Pharmacy Armed Robbery Suspect

By  //  June 17, 2014

Wayne Griffith Parker Jr., 46, arrested

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ABOVE MAP: Just prior to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Melbourne police responded to Walgreens at the corner of Eau Gallie Boulevard and Wickham Road to a report that a man, wearing a mask that covered a portion of his face, had made his way into the pharmacy area, brandished a knife and demanded prescription pain medication from the pharmacists.

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Melbourne police apprehended and arrested Wayne Griffith Parker Jr., 46, after responding to Walgreens at the corner of Eau Gallie Boulevard and Wickham Road in reference to an armed robbery, according to the Melbourne Police Department. 

Melbourne police apprehended and arrested Wayne Griffith Parker Jr., 46, after responding to Walgreens at the corner of Eau Gallie Boulevard and Wickham Road in reference to an armed robbery, according to the Melbourne Police Department.
Melbourne police apprehended and arrested Wayne Griffith Parker Jr., 46, after responding to Walgreens at the corner of Eau Gallie Boulevard and Wickham Road in reference to an armed robbery, according to the Melbourne Police Department.

Just prior to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Melbourne police received a report that a man, wearing a mask that covered a portion of his face, had made his way into the pharmacy area, brandished a knife and demanded prescription pain medication from the pharmacists.

Once the suspect obtained an undisclosed amount of the medication, he left the store.

No one was injured during the robbery.

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According to the Melbourne Police Department, as the robbery call was broadcast over the police radio, Melbourne Police Officer Jim O’Byrne was in the immediate area and observed Parker leaving the business.

Officer O’Byrne confronted the suspect who then ran to a 1997 green Chevy pick-up truck parked at a nearby business.

Anyone with information about the investigation is urged to call CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).
Anyone with information about the investigation is urged to call CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).

The suspect drove from the scene and officers pursued his vehicle.The pursuit lasted a short period until Parker’s vehicle crashed into a ditch near the intersection of Turtlemound Road and Carolwood Drive.

Parker was taken into custody and evidence from the robbery was recovered from his vehicle. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Parker was transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries sustained in the crash. Once released, he will be transported to the Brevard County Jail on multiple felony charges including Armed Robbery, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Fleeing and Eluding.

According to the Melbourne Police Department, additional charges are pending.

If you have any information call CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).

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