MELBOURNE, Florida – The Melbourne Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit developed a and identified 53-year-old John Allen Granger as the suspect in the string of armed robberies in Melbourne, Florida.
Police believe that Granger is responsible for the armed robberies of the Publix Supermarket, 1411 S. Babcock Street on Friday, April 6th and a Walmart located on 1000 N. Wickham Road on March 25th at 12:50 p.m.
Granger was also identified as the suspect of the attempted armed robbery of the TD Bank at 1025 S. Babcock Street just twenty minutes before the Walmart robbery.
Granger was also charged with false imprisonment for alleged his actions in the Publix robbery where he ordered a manager back inside the store.
Melbourne police officers, acting on these charges, were actively looking for Granger when he was spotted in the area of Wisteria Avenue and Cherry Street in Melbourne. Granger was thought to be the passenger in a car traveling in the area and a traffic stop was conducted. Granger’s identity was confirmed and officers attempted to take him into custody.
However, police say that Granger resisted the officers’ efforts saying “You’re going to have to shoot me.” But Granger did not display any weapon nor initiate a physical confrontation with the officers and fled on foot.
Granger was ultimately apprehended after a brief foot pursuit, booked at the Melbourne Police Department, then remanded to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office jail.
The investigation is still ongoing and the information on the driver is not being released at this time.
If you have any information please call Crimeline: 1-800-423-TIPS (8477) or The Melbourne Police Department’s Crime Tip Line: 321-409-2259.
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