New York

‘Darth Vader' Arrested After Attempted Armed Robbery in Jacksonville Beach

A man was arrested after he attempted to rob a Jacksonville Beach convenience store while wearing a Darth Vader mask, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office says.

According to police records, 32-year-old Jacob Mercer entered the '8 til Late' convenience store Sunday night with a gun.

Surveillance video showed Mercer entering the store wearing black pants, light blue sneakers and a black and gray hoodie along with a Darth Vader mask. Deputies say Mercer, armed with a pistol, pointed the gun at store employees and demanded money. A clerk got into a physical confrontation with Mercer and refused to give any money.

According to the report, the clerk threw a jar of blue cheese dressing at Mercer during the altercation, causing a laceration to Mercer's face.

A witness told deputies that he saw Mercer flee the area and get into a silver colored car with New York plates. The witness reported seeing Mercer remove the mask and that he had blood all over his face from the laceration.

Mercer was apprehended a short time later, and the witness positively identified him. Deputies found several handguns and ammunition inside a backpack belonging to Mercer.

Deputies say Mercer was taken to the hospital for treatment of the laceration to the face, and was booked into jail afterward.

Mercer was arrested and charged with armed robbery and possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon.

He was ordered held without bond.

It is not known if Mercer has hired an attorney.

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