Police: Robber hit 2 Jax Beach businesses minutes apart

Man caught after Pet Supermarket, Sunrise Surf Shop both held up, police say

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Jacksonville Beach police made a quick arrest Wednesday morning after a robbery suspect hit two businesses minutes apart.

Police said Andrew Charles Harrison, 32, entered the Pet Supermarket on Beach Boulevard and handed the clerk a note demanding money and stating he had a gun.

Harrison took $79 from the clerk and left the store, running south across Beach Boulevard, according to an arrest report.

Police said Harrison then went into the Sunrise Surf Shop and again handed a clerk a note demanding money and saying he had a gun.

The manager at the surf shop told News4Jax she called 911 and before she knew it, Harrison was out the door without any money in hand.

Police said when Harrison ran from the building, an officer responding to the first robbery call saw him running and noticed that he matched the description from the call.

The officer chased after Harrison and caught up with him half a block away behind European Street Cafe, where he was cornered by several officers and taken into custody.

Police said Harrison never displayed a weapon and that no weapon was found on him.

No injuries were reported in either robbery, and witnesses positively identified Harrison as the robber, police said.

The surf shop manager said she's grateful for the fast response from the Jacksonville Beach Police Department.

Cai Cleary said he comes to the surf shop almost every day and like many others, he was shocked to hear what happened.

“I never thought something like that would happen. I thought it was a pretty good community around here," Cleary said. "I thought everyone was pretty nice and well-mannered. I would never expect that, and I can't believe that.”