Vero Beach police release video of a suspect fleeing after Mulligan’s robbery

VERO BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Video surveillance has been released of a man fleeing a crime scene after he was accused of robbing an employee at Mulligan’s Beach House.

The Vero Beach Police Department (VBPD) released the surveillance video on Monday after officers arrested Sederick Upton for the crime on October 16.

According to the Vero Beach Police Department (VBPD), officers responded to Mulligan’s Beach House at 1025 Beachland Boulevard, where one of its employees was the victim of a robbery. The victim told officers that she was managing money from the business in a cordoned off area when a black man wearing a mask broke into the office.

Officers say the suspect pointed his gun at the victim and made several threats while demanding cash. The officer alleges the suspect tied the victim’s hands and feet with shoelaces and continued to make threats against the victim if she did not remain silent.

The suspect then fled the scene and stole approximately $4,900, a watch and a silver bracelet, police said.

Vero Beach officers and investigators were able to obtain numerous witness statements, security videos, vehicle information and other items from the Mulligans crime scene and area. Investigators were also able to capture security footage that showed the suspect was a black male wearing a black hoodie and a black face covering. Officers claim the suspect was then seen leaving Mulligans and making his way to Reef Ocean Resort.

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The first surveillance video shows the suspect dressed in black with a mask over his face walking across what appears to be a patio at a pool bar. It looks like he is on the phone as he enters the building, the video can still be seen.

Surveillance video shows the man, wearing a black hoodie and black pants, walking past the Boiler Bar and Lounge before disappearing around the corner. Google Maps shows that The Boiler and Mulligan’s Beach House are close to each other on Ocean Drive in Vero Beach. Another video released by police shows him running into a parking lot and jumping into the back of a silver pickup truck. The video continues to show the man removing his black hoodie before jumping out of the back of the truck and fleeing the scene in a white shirt.

During a search of the hotel, officers were able to find a black bandana and a black hoodie on the ground in the parking lot on the south side of the Reef Ocean Resort. Officers also found a black mask, a black hairnet and a cell phone in the back of a silver truck at the resort. According to officers, the suspect left clothing and a cell phone in the back of the truck. Officers were able to determine that the items did not belong to the owner of the pickup.

Through DNA analysis conducted by the Indian River Crime Laboratory, officers were able to determine that Upton committed the robbery at Mulligan’s Beach House, police said.

On Oct. 16, Vero Beach police requested an arrest warrant for Upton from the Indian River County District Attorney’s Office. Officials say the warrants were issued for good reason.

According to Upton’s affidavit, he was charged with robbery with a firearm, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping and false imprisonment, and burglary with assault or battery.

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