Police have arrested a man they say robbed a cell phone store after punching a young pregnant female clerk in the face before taking an undisclosed amount of money.
Vincent Lavon Johnson, 41, was taken into custody in the 3000 block of North Roosevelt Street. He was charged with felony battery, strong-arm robbery and burglary. Police said he was wearing the same shorts and shoes he had on during the robbery at the time of his arrest. He was also charged with a similar crime in Escambia County.
The incident occurred around 3:15 p.m. at Boost Mobile at 5039 Bayou Boulevard, near Cordova Mall.
Officer Greg Gordon said Johnson entered the store two times. The second time he was in the business, he put his phone in his pocket, approached a counter, reached over the counter, and struck a female employee in the face.
Gordon said the Johnson then demanded the employee tell him how to open the register.
She complied and he took some money and the store phone before leaving the business. The store employee was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
When officers responded to a tip that Johnson was on Roosevelt Avenue, an officer spotted Johnson running away. He was able to evade officers, but a K-9 track by Officer James Parsons and his partner Jannus led police to a home in the 3000 block of North Roosevelt where he was found
Escambia County Robbery
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday afternoon that Johnson was also arrested on an outstanding warrant with their agency for the May 28, 2014, robbery at Happy Nick’s Store on Palafox Street.
Deputies say Johnson entered the store and began to walk behind the counter. When the clerk asked him was he needed, he punched her, knocking her to the ground. He then grabbed cash from the register and fled.
The complete unedited surveillance video from Boost Mobile, as provided by the Pensacola Police Department, is below. WARNING: Some readers may find the video disturbing.
