Man Gets 20 Years For Robbing Century Coin Laundry, Fleeing With Change In Plastic Pumpkin

January 30, 2018

A man that robbed a Century laundromat and made his getaway with the loot in a plastic Halloween pumpkin is headed to prison.

William Edward Perry, Jr. was sentence to 20 years in state prison by Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh as a prison releasee reoffender and as a habitual felony offender. That means Perry, 57, will serve the first 15 years of his sentence day for day as a mandatory minimum.

He was convicted by an Escambia County jury of robbery with a weapon.

On April 21, 2016, Perry entered Century Laundry and Self Storage and committed a robbery. The victim, who was about 70-years old, was the store manager and was alone in the store when Perry entered. The victim was taking  money out of the washers and dryers when Perry came up behind her and took the plastic Halloween bucket of money.

The pumpkin bucket contained approximately $300 in coins. Perry put his hand in her face, told her to get back, and to go sit down behind the counter. Perry then demanded she give him the keys to the store. When the victim refused, Perry fled the scene without the keys but with the money in the pumpkin bucket.

The victim later identified Perry from a photo lineup.

Pensacola Police located Perry panhandling near the intersection of Pace and Cervantes in May 2016. When officers approached, he ran before falling down and scuffling with officers before being taken into custody. He was charged with  battery, two counts of resisting an officer and obstructing police by the Pensacola Police Department. Those charges were later dismissed.

Perry’s criminal record includes escape, burglary, grand theft, resisting officer with violence, and possession of cocaine as well as numerous misdemeanor offenses, including indecent exposure, according to the State Attorney’s Office.

NorthEscambia.com photo.

Comments

12 Responses to “Man Gets 20 Years For Robbing Century Coin Laundry, Fleeing With Change In Plastic Pumpkin”

  1. Janiebelle on January 31st, 2018 11:33 pm

    I came to laugh at the headline, but his picture was so sad, it’s not funny anymore. This guy’s life didn’t turn out like he hoped. I pray he finds salvation and some hope in prison.

  2. resident on January 31st, 2018 12:47 pm

    @Johnny Freedom

    You must have missed the part about “habitual felony offender” and “a prison releasee reoffender ” plus

    “Perry’s criminal record includes escape, burglary, grand theft, resisting officer with violence, and possession of cocaine as well as numerous misdemeanor offenses, including indecent exposure, according to the State Attorney’s Office.”

  3. Pat on January 31st, 2018 10:06 am

    @Johnny Freedom – Perry is a prison releasee reoffender and a habitual felony offender. That means Perry, 57, will serve the first 15 years of his sentence day for day as a mandatory minimum.

  4. David Huie Green on January 31st, 2018 7:41 am

    REGARDING:
    ” for $300 in change stolen from a laundromat?”

    From the owners of the laundromat plus a history of crimes: “escape, burglary, grand theft, resisting officer with violence, and possession of cocaine as well as numerous misdemeanor offenses, including indecent exposure”

    The slate isn’t wiped Clean each time.

    He has shown an intent to continue to harm others.

    David for justice and mercy on future victims

  5. Jdub on January 31st, 2018 5:58 am

    @ Johnny Freeman….you need to read better…it say “as a prison releasee reoffender and as a habitual felony offender“. I for one & glad he is off the streets! This guy appears to have no regard for the law.

  6. Johnny Freedom on January 30th, 2018 11:44 pm

    20 years with 15 years mandatory for $300 in change stolen from a laundromat?

  7. Melodies4us on January 30th, 2018 3:35 pm

    This is so sad.

  8. David Huie Green on January 30th, 2018 3:15 pm

    Don’t you just hate it when your pumpkin fails to turn into a getaway carriage?

  9. Citizen on January 30th, 2018 2:05 pm

    I am thankful they identified and sentenced him.

    The plastic pumpkin part is a bit funny but I am sure it was just a convenient way to get quarters from the machines and back to the coin changer for the attendant. (small bucket)

    To know some one is so desperate they will steal coins from an elderly woman when surveillance cameras are in use, in a public place, in broad day light, is actually frightful to residents in the area and am so relieved he has been put away.

  10. Big red on January 30th, 2018 12:18 pm

    Trick or treat. Oh wait!!! Here’s a treat. 20 Years and good riddance.

  11. Tarrence Wright Sr on January 30th, 2018 9:15 am

    Should of give him life. Keep that judge on the bench! Good job your Honor

  12. Trocarman on January 30th, 2018 5:15 am

    Why were the obstructing justice and battery charges dropped?