Police in St. Petersburg, Florida, say a man who shot his estranged girlfriend to death in front of their two children at a cemetery in 2021 is in custody in Mexico after a TikTok video alerted someone to his whereabouts. announced that it had been done.
St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Hollaway announced that Benjamin Robert Williams, also known as “Bambi,” has been locked up in the Pinellas County Jail after a three-and-a-half year search.
The 41-year-old suspect was charged with first-degree murder and two counts of child abuse, police said.
“Thanks to the dedication of St. Petersburg Police Department detectives and the invaluable assistance of the U.S. Marshals and ATF, a dangerous criminal was arrested and justice was brought to the victim’s family,” Holloway said. . “While nothing can bring back the lives of their beloved daughter and mother to their two young children, we hope this will bring them the peace and closure they have long desired.”
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Benjamin Robert Williams was arrested in Mexico nearly three and a half years after he was accused of fatally shooting his estranged girlfriend while she was holding their young child in Florida. (St. Petersburg Police)
Police allege that on July 31, 2021, Williams convinced his estranged girlfriend, Joanna Peca, to meet her at a cemetery on North 60th Street in St. Petersburg so she could see her young son.
When they arrived, Peka was sitting in the van with her baby in her arms. Police said Williams then allegedly shot Peca multiple times in the face, killing her. Peca's other child was in the back seat of the car at the time of the shooting, but neither child was physically injured.
Department spokeswoman Sandra Bentil previously told Fox News that officers responded to the scene around 5:30 p.m. and found Peka dead in her car. He said he discovered it.
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Benjamin Robert Williams was arrested in Mexico nearly three and a half years after he was accused of fatally shooting his estranged girlfriend while she was holding their young child in Florida. This is Williams in a 2021 photo. (St. Petersburg Police)
After the incident, police obtained a warrant for Williams' arrest. Investigators from multiple agencies were also able to offer a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest.
Williams also appeared on the show “In Pursuit with John Walsh” in 2022, but Williams remained on the run.
But last week, I saw a TikTok post where someone shared a local news story about a mass shooting. “Looking for the man who murdered his girlfriend while holding her 4 month old baby,” the poster wrote above the video.
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A TikTok video led to the arrest of Benjamin Robert Williams after a viewer contacted St. Petersburg police saying he lived in Mexico. (Jaque Silva/SOPA Images/LightRocket, Getty Images)
After viewing the video, the person contacted the St. Petersburg Police Department and provided information that Williams lived in Mexico.
Investigators contacted the U.S. Marshals Service, who were able to take Mr. Williams into custody and return him to the United States.
He was picked up from Miami and transported to the Pinellas County Jail, where he remains being held without bail.
TikTok did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment for this story.
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Williams has been arrested about 40 times in Pinellas County since 2007, according to jail records. He has previously been charged with drug possession, tampering with evidence, aggravated assault, armed robbery, grand larceny and resisting arrest.
