Man admits to a dozen armed robberies in Duval, St. Johns counties

A man is in jail after he admitted to a dozen armed robberies in Duval and St. Johns counties, according to police.

Branon Purcell, 27, was arrested after a Jacksonville Beach police officer saw a car that matched the description of the suspect's vehicle in several armed robberies.

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Officers questioned Purcell and he admitted to ten armed robberies in Jacksonville, one in St. Johns County and one in Neptune Beach, according to officers.

He's currently charged with three counts of armed robbery and driving with a suspended license.

Officers released surveillance photos believed to be Purcell on Dec. 28.

At one point, four businesses were robbed in one day.

The string of robberies included two on Dec. 15 at a RaceTrack on Atlantic Boulevard around 4 a.m. then just before 2 p.m. the same day at the CVS on Town Center Parkway.

Then on Sunday Dec. 18, four locations reported being robbed, including two Walgreens stores, Otaki Japanese Steakhouse and a Speedway.

On Tuesday, Dec. 20 a CVS and a Dunkin' Donuts were also hit.

The latest incident occurred at a Dollar General on New Berlin Road.

Action News Jax spoke with one of the victims, John Nyugen, of Otaki Japanese Steakhouse.

Nyugen said he and his wife were eating lunch in the restaurant when a disguised man came through the backdoor and robbed them at gunpoint.

He said he was thrilled to learn about Purcell’s arrest. “We’re very happy to see him behind bars,” said Nyugen.

Purcell made his first appearance in court on Friday and was denied bond.

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Cox Media Group