St. Petersburg, Florida police mentioned a person who shot and killed his estranged girlfriend at a cemetery in entrance of her two youngsters in 2021 was taken into custody in Mexico after a TikTok video led to somebody reporting his whereabouts.
St. Petersburg Police Division Chief Anthony Hollaway introduced that after three and a half years of trying to find Benjamin Robert Williams, often known as “Bambi”, he was locked up within the Pinellas County Jail.
The 41-year-old suspect was charged with first-degree homicide and two counts of kid abuse, police mentioned.
“Due to the dedication of St. Petersburg Police detectives and the invaluable assist of the U.S. Marshals and the ATF, a harmful legal was captured, bringing justice to the sufferer’s household,” Holloway mentioned. “Whereas nothing can restore the lifetime of a beloved daughter and mom to 2 younger youngsters, we hope this provides them some long-overdue peace and closure.”
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Benjamin Robert Williams was arrested in Mexico, practically 3 1/2 years after he allegedly shot and killed his estranged girlfriend in Florida whereas she was holding their toddler youngster. (St. Petersburg Police)
Police allege that on July 31, 2021, Williams satisfied his estranged girlfriend, Joana Peca, to satisfy him at a cemetery on sixtieth Avenue North in St. Petersburg, so he might see his toddler son.
When she arrived, Peca sat within the van whereas holding their child. Williams then allegedly shot Peca a number of occasions within the face and killed her, police mentioned. Peca’s different youngster was within the backseat of the automobile on the time of the capturing, and neither youngster was bodily harmed.
Officers responded to the scene round 5:30 p.m. that night and located Peca lifeless inside her automobile, division spokesperson Sandra Bentil beforehand informed Fox Information.
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Benjamin Robert Williams was arrested in Mexico, practically 3 1/2 years after he allegedly shot and killed his estranged girlfriend in Florida whereas she was holding their toddler youngster. That is Williams pictured in 2021. (St. Petersburg Police)
After the incident, police obtained an arrest warrant for Williams. Investigators from a number of businesses have been additionally in a position to supply a reward of as much as $25,000 for any info resulting in his arrest.
Williams was additionally featured on the present, “In Pursuit with John Walsh” in 2022, but Williams remained on the unfastened.
However final week, somebody watched a TikTok put up containing a shared native information story concerning the capturing. Above the video, the poster wrote, “Manhunt for man who killed girlfriend whereas holding her 4-month-old child.”
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A TikTok video helped result in the arrest of Benjamin Robert Williams, after a viewer contacted St. Petersburg Police to say he was dwelling in Mexico. (Â Jaque Silva/SOPA Pictures/LightRocket by way of Getty Pictures)
After watching the video, the individual contacted the St. Petersburg Police Division with a tip that Williams was dwelling in Mexico.
Investigators contacted the U.S. Marshals Service, who have been in a position to take Williams into custody and return him to the U.S.
He was picked up from Miami and transported to the Pinellas County Jail the place he stays in custody with out bond.
TikTok didn’t reply to Fox Information Digital’s request for touch upon the matter.
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Jail data present Williams has been arrested in Pinellas County about 40 occasions since 2007. He has been charged prior to now with drug possession, tampering with proof, aggravated battery, armed theft, grand theft and resisting arrest.
