A St. Augustine man wanted in Flagler County for stealing a gold necklace during a Facebook Marketplace deal is now in custody after being arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office General Assignment Unit detectives obtained an arrest warrant for William Walker, 44, of St. Augustine, on charges of dealing in stolen property, grand theft, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Detectives determined Walker stole the victim’s necklace on July 1 during a Facebook Marketplace exchange at a barbershop in Palm Coast, then contacted the victim afterward and demanded payment for its return.
How the Theft Happened
According to detectives, the victim had listed the necklace for sale on Facebook Marketplace and negotiated a $7,000 sale price with a prospective buyer later identified as Walker. The two agreed to meet the following day at the barbershop to complete the deal.
When Walker arrived the next day, he came by Uber with an unidentified woman. He told the victim his wife needed to go to an ATM to get the remaining cash. While the victim waited inside the barbershop, Walker tapped on the window, waved, and quickly left the business wearing the necklace before getting into the vehicle with the woman and the Uber driver, who then drove away.
Detectives were able to identify the vehicle and confirm Walker’s identity. The victim also found an envelope with “$1,200” written on the outside that contained toilet paper and a St. Augustine hotel key, which was later connected to Walker.
On July 7, 2026, the victim received a text message demanding $1,200 in exchange for the necklace’s return. The victim agreed to meet Walker the next day, but after several failed attempts to “purchase” the necklace back and Walker’s demand for partial payment up front, communication stopped. Detectives then obtained an arrest warrant.
The Arrest
The Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Unit coordinated with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, where Walker was already in custody on unrelated charges. The stolen necklace was recovered at the time of his arrest.
Sheriff Rick Staly commented on the case. “The victim thought he had made a legitimate business deal only to find out the suspect had always planned to steal the jewelry and then attempt to extort the victim for its return,” Staly said. “This is a good reminder the Sheriff’s Office has designated safe exchange meeting spots under the watchful eye of a camera at our Palm Coast District 2 office and the Sheriff’s Operations Center.”
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Walker has an extensive criminal history that includes previous arrests for burglary, grand theft, fleeing and eluding, narcotics possession, aggravated battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and domestic battery by strangulation.
Walker remains in custody in Duval County and will face the Flagler County charges once those proceedings are complete.
The Sheriff’s Office is encouraging marketplace buyers and sellers to use one of its designated safe exchange locations: the Sheriff’s Operations Center at 61 Sheriff EW Johnston Dr. in Bunnell, or the District 2 office at 14 Palm Harbor Village Way in Palm Coast.
The post St. Augustine Man Arrested After Stealing $7,000 Necklace in Facebook Marketplace Scheme first appeared on Flagler County Buzz.
