JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters announced an arrest that he said put an end to a crime spree that could have ended in serious injury or death if investigators hadn’t tracked down the suspect.
He said Jarvae Hines, who is facing multiple felony charges, escalated his crimes from armed robbery to attempted kidnapping to firing a gun.
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During each incident in a stretch from May 9-May 15, Hines used a black revolver and wore a mask as he held up victims at bank drive-thru ATMs, Waters said.
Waters said Hines, 37, threatened his victims with the gun, demanded the victim’s account information and then removed money from their accounts while holding them at gunpoint.
On May 12, Waters said, Hines attempted to kidnap a woman and force her to go to a bank but she was able to escape.
Then on May 15, according to JSO, Hines shot into a car with two victims inside it. Neither was hit by the gunfire.
“Even in a matter of a few days, Hines escalated his use of violence from the threat of gunfire to shooting at innocent victims,” Waters said. “This investigation exemplifies our agency’s ability to analyze, strategize and execute quickly to stop an escalating criminal and prevent future violence.”
Waters said the Investigations and Patrol divisions worked together in a targeted operation to identify and stop Hines, who was caught on the scene of his final robbery.
He was charged with two counts of armed robbery with a firearm, two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, one count of shooting or throwing deadly missiles and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.
“It was only a matter of time before one of these robberies ended in serious injury or death,” Waters said. “This is exactly the type of crime spree that could have ended in a murder or serious injury had it not been for the excellent work of our investigators.”
Waters asked anyone else who believes they might have been a victim of Hines to report it to JSO at 904-630-0500.
Hines previously served a six-year prison sentence for carjacking.