PANAMA CITY — A suspect in a string of robberies by a wig-wearing bandit was arrested Saturday.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office said Raymond Charles Wagner, 35, was charged in connection with several armed robberies of area businesses and hotels.
On Dec. 23, the Tom Thumb Convenience Store on Back Beach Road was robbed by a male brandishing a firearm.
On Jan. 2, a white male armed with a handgun and wearing a wig robbed the Hampton Inn at 13505 Panama City Beach Parkway. Information was developed that the suspect possibly left the scene on a black motorcycle.
On Jan. 10, a white male armed with a handgun and wearing a wig and fake moustache robbed the Sugar Sands Hotel at 20723 Front Beach Road.
On Thursday and Friday, BCSO and Panama City Beach Police conducted a joint operation conducting surveillance on area hotels in reference to the recent beach area robberies.
But Friday at about 8:30 p.m., the Panama City Police Department responded to the Ramada Inn at 4306 U.S. 98 in reference to a robbery involving a white male wearing a wig.
About four hours later, a BCSO patrol sergeant saw a motorcycle matching the description of the one possibly seen during the Hampton Inn robbery, in the area of Front Beach Road and Joan Avenue. The motorcycle was being followed by a white Chevrolet Tahoe. The sergeant watched the motorcycle park at a restaurant, and the driver entered the passenger side of the Tahoe.
A traffic stop was conducted, and the passenger, later identified as Wagner, fled the area on foot. Investigators with BCSO and Panama City Beach Police responded to assist. Following a brief foot chase, Wagner was apprehended.
The investigation led to a search warrant being served at the Executive Inn in Panama City Beach. During the search, a handgun, wig, fake moustache and clothing consistent with clothing worn during the robberies was seized. Wagner confessed to the four robberies, BCSO said. Also, investigators concluded the motorcycle Wagner was driving had been reported stolen.
Wagner was charged with armed robbery and was booked into the Bay County Jail. Additional charges are anticipated.
In a press release, Sheriff Frank McKeithen credits hard work and great working relationships between law enforcement agencies with solving the case.