A 25 year-old Winter Haven man is in jail this morning after he snatched two necklaces from around a 69 year-old woman’s neck inside of Wal Mart yesterday. The victim was not injured.
At approximately 10 a.m. on Thursday, the 69 year-old female victim was inside Wal Mart looking at flowers to purchase to place on a grave. As she was shopping, 25 year-old Ryan Lee Twiddy followed her through the store.
After watching the victim, Twiddy approached her from behind and grabbed two necklaces from her neck, breaking both chains. Immediately, Twiddy ran through the store and outside.
The victim attempted to follow Twiddy and told officers, “I was going to tackle him until he dropped one of my necklaces and I stopped to pick it up.” Wal Mart associates and other shoppers also responded after hearing the victim screaming, but Twiddy was able to exit the store and they lost sight of him.
Officers responding to the 9-1-1 call found Twiddy, who was in the area of Ave. O and First St. SE. Within eight minutes, Twiddy was in custody. Twiddy was positively identified as the person running through the store after the victim was heard screaming. Twiddy is also seen on video surveillance grabbing the necklaces from the victim and running out of the store.
When interviewed by officers, Twiddy stated that he had been smoking methamphetamine all morning and remembers going to Wal Mart and running, but nothing about necklaces or an elderly female.
Twiddy was taken to the Winter Haven Hospital Emergency Room after he complained of chest pains. Once he was cleared he was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with robbery-sudden snatching and battery on a person 65 years old or older.
