Wounded Suspect Who Walked Away From Hospital Captured by Task Force

PACE, FL - The U.S. Marshals North Florida Violent Fugitive Task Force apprehended two felons within less than an hour of each other this evening in Santa Rosa County. Kenneth Russell Pike, 19, who is wanted by Escambia County Sheriff’s Office on multiple charges including Aggravated Assault with a Vehicle, Burglary with Battery, Criminal Mischief, and Petit Theft, was arrested at 6:30pm without incident at a home on the 4800 block of Hyatt Street in Pace. Pike was a passenger in a get away vehicle when he was shot by the victim whose house he had attempted to rob last week. Pike had left a Pensacola hospital against medical advice. He was captured by task force members from Escambia and Okaloosa Sheriff’s Offices, Milton Police Department and assistance from sheriff’s deputies from Santa Rosa County; after receiving a tip he was hiding out in the home.

Eric Dale Robinson, 25, was apprehended about an hour earlier during a felony car stop as he left his place of employment on Trailer’s Trail Road. Robinson was wanted on a BATF warrant stemming from a federal indictment that was handed down earlier this month. The indictment charged him with Felon in Possession of a Weapon, Possession of a Handgun with Obliterated Serial Numbers, and Possession of Narcotics. Prior to both arrests, the Task Force had requested assistance from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.

“We often depend on Santa Rosa (the Sheriff’s Office) and they always help us without question,” said U.S Marshal Dennis Williamson. “Just recently the Sheriff’s Office and the Milton Police Department became participating agencies in our task force. We anticipate a great future working together with them,” said Williamson. The Marshals Task Force whose main focus is to apprehend violent fugitives also recently had additional investigators join from Escambia County.

Both Pike and Robinson were transported and booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail in Milton. Pike will be extradited to Escambia and Robinson will be brought before a federal magistrate tomorrow morning.