[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 11/11/19]
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THE VILLAGES, Florida — A man captured on camera staggering around Spanish Springs Town Square in The Villages who crashed his truck into a parked vehicle, left the scene — and then reported his own truck as stolen — was arrested on a Lady Lake Police Department warrant Thursday.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Robert Austin Wicker, 30, of Bushnell walked out of Margarita Republic, 1102 Main Street, Lady Lake at 1:44 a.m. Oct. 27. For the next three minutes he is seen on camera staggering along the fountain in the square. He enters his truck and sits there for 21 minutes before pulling out in a wide semi-circle, according to the affidavit. Various security cameras recorded him as he sped down Alonzo Avenue until he crashed into a parked 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, pushing it across the entryway of a parking lot, over a curb and into a concrete Sharon Morse Performing Arts sign, the affidavit states. Wicker gets out and paces around the scene of the crash until a camera shows him leaving at 2:16 a.m.
More cameras catch him as he walks away near the Rialto Theater and towards Del Mar Drive. A witness also told police he was fishing in a nearby pond when he heard the crash. He went to see what the noise was and saw a, “skinny white male in a t-shirt and shorts,” sitting on the bed of a truck. According to his arrest report, Wicker a white male, 5’11’’ and 151 pounds.
Around 8 a.m. the same morning, Wicker called police from RaceTrac, 424 N. US Highway 27, Lady Lake and reported his truck stolen.
On Thursday, Wicker was picked up by Fruitland Park Police Department and transported to the Lake County Jail, where the warrant was served. He was charged with leaving the scene of crash and making a false report; he was released the same day on $1,500 bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. In addition, she has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
