Pele Williams, the man responsible for a brief but violent March 9, 2011 crime spree through Sarasota, has been convicted of Robbery with a Firearm, Principal to Robbery with a Firearm, Principal to Aggravated Battery, and Fleeing to Elude. Because of his violent history and status as a prison release re-offender, the judge immediately sentenced Williams to 2 consecutive life sentences plus 20 years.
The incident began around 12:30 p.m., with Williams robbing a woman at gunpoint outside Westfield Sarasota Square, then traveled north to the Sarasota Pavilion where his co-defendant Melodee Haygood robbed and shot a woman outside of Publix, and ended on Stickney Point Road just west of Swift when the suspects crashed their black Mercedes after a short pursuit with deputies.
Haygood previously agreed to a 25 year prison sentence. Pele chose to go to court and yesterday the jury convicted him on all counts.