INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 26-year-old Vero Beach man was arrested over the weekend after allegedly pulling a knife on a customer at Snappy Food Store and demanding his wallet.
According to Lt. Kevin Jaworski of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, the victim fought back, preventing the suspect from taking the wallet and escaping without injury.
The incident occurred on August 28 at the Snappy Food Store located on the 1100 block of Old Dixie Highway, just south of Vero Beach city limits. Deputies received a 911 call just before 1 p.m. reporting the attempted robbery and stabbing threat.
The suspect, later identified as Matthew Zackery Evans, 26, reportedly grabbed the victim by the neck and brandished a knife while demanding the wallet. After the victim resisted, Evans fled the store on a bicycle.
Deputies initially set up a perimeter but were unable to locate Evans. Surveillance footage captured clear images of the suspect, which helped investigators identify him.
Detectives conducted surveillance at Evans’ residence and later stopped his vehicle. Evans was arrested and booked into the Indian River County Jail, where he is being held without bond. He has been ordered to have no contact with the victim.
Evans’ arraignment is scheduled for 8:45 a.m. on October 16.
