By Rita Farlow, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 30, 2010
CLEARWATER — A 39-year-old felon is back behind bars after, police say, he broke into a woman's home and pistol-whipped her during a robbery.
Ricky Lamar Jones, whose last known address is 1507 Ridge Ave., is charged with home invasion robbery, kidnapping, aggravated battery, having a weapon while engaged in a criminal offense and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to arrest reports, Jones and another person covered their faces to disguise themselves, then forced their way into the woman's apartment in the 800 block of Grand Central Street about 11 a.m. Aug. 22.
Clearwater police said Jones pistol-whipped the woman on the head and face, then dragged her into a bedroom and bound her with tape. Jones and the other person, who was not identified, fled the apartment after stealing $3,000, police said.
The woman suffered a broken nose and lacerations, reports show. She was treated and released from a local hospital.
It's unclear how she was able to get free and contact authorities.
She was able to identify Jones after she pulled his mask off during the physical struggle and recognized him "from prior contact," police said. It was not clear from reports how she knew Jones.
Jones was arrested late Sunday night. Police said they found a shotgun and an AK-47 rifle, but not the handgun, at his home.
He has three previous cocaine possession convictions, according to arrest reports.
On Monday afternoon, Jones was being held in the Pinellas County Jail in lieu of $280,000 bail.