'Intimate encounter' turns into armed robbery in St. Augustine

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — What was supposed to be an "intimate encounter" turned into armed robbery on Sunday night.

A 42-year-old man told the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office that a woman he knew, later identifed as 26-year-old Tiffany Michelle Higginbotham, picked him up on Holmes Boulevard.

Higginbotham drove to the end of Cherry Tree Road and when she and the victim exited the vehicle, a man later identified as 43-year-old Danny Hammond popped out of the trunk, "brandishing a weapon," according to a release from SJSO Media Relations Officer Kevin Kelshaw.

Higginbotham and Hammond then reportedly drove off, taking the victim's wallet, cash, cellphone and clothing.

Hammond was located Tuesday morning when officers responded to reports of a suspicious person in the 300 block of West Jayce Way. He tried to flee into the woods, Kelshaw said, but was apprehended a short time later. Higginbotham was taken into custody at her home.

Hammond is charged with fleeing and attempting to elude, aggravated assault with a weapon, grand theft and armed robbery and is being held in the St. Johns County Jail on $28,500. Higginbotham is charged with grand theft and principal to armed robbery and is being held in jail on a $12,500 bond.

WJAX