Source: News 4 Jax
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A man chased across town after a robbery at a Baymeadows McDonald’s Monday afternoon that left a Haitian immigrant dead was ordered held without bond on charges of murder, armed robbery and fleeing police.
According to the arrest report, Nesta Walker, 28, pulled a gun on the store’s manager as she carried a bank deposit to her SUV just before 2 p.m. When the store’s 45-year-old maintenance man, Raynold Orelus, tried to fight off the robber, he was shot once in the chest.
Orelus died at the scene.
Walker was apprehended less than an hour later in northwest Jacksonville after a police pursuit up Interstate 95 and a foot chase during which some shots were fired but no one was shot.
Outside the McDonald’s on Tuesday, a makeshift memorial to Orelus appeared. Inside the restaurant, a worker described the mood as shocked, sad and solemn. Because many of employees did not come to work, managers and owners from other restaurants came to help.
Customers in the strip mall that was a crime scene less than 24 hours earlier were fully aware of the tragedy.
“I think its terrible … especially on this side of town,” said Queenette Austin.
As Walker appeared before a judge Tuesday morning, Channel 4 learned that Walker has at least two previous arrests: one in January 2009 for grand theft of a gun and carrying a concealed weapon, and he was charged with battery in September 2006. Both cases were dropped.
State Attorney Angela Corey released a statement Wednesday calling the slaying of Orleus “a very disturbing crime committed at a public restaurants during lunch hours.” She also released details of the Walker’s two previous arrests, saying that both cases were just reviewed and that was the appropriate action.
In the 2006 case, the battery was reported by a minor and sworn statements by both the victim and witnesses did not support prosecution.
In last year’s case, the Florida Highway Patrol found a gun in a locked glove compartment of a car in which he was a passenger.
While the gun was confiscated and Wilson was arrested, the investigation did not find proof beyond reasonable doubt that the gun was stolen and it did not meet Florida’s guidelines as being readily accessible to him at the time the car was stopped by troopers.
Orelus is survived by a wife and five children, four of whom are still in Haiti and were displaced by last month’s earthquake.
David Mullins Sr., the owner of the McDonald’s, released a statement saying his thoughts and prayers are with Orelus’ friends and family.
“All who knew and worked with Ray will miss him,” Mullins wrote. “His dedication to his work and the kindness he showed to his co-workers is a testament to the wonderful person Ray was.”
Mullins said McDonald’s will make a $5,000 donation to help Orelus’ family.
The family has opened up an account for donations at Vystar Credit Union. Anyone wishing to contribute can do so at any Vystar branch in the name of Miraclide Orelus, account No. 702809176.