Woman extradited in Clearwater gas station robbery, kidnapping case

CLEARWATER — A second suspect has been arrested in a Clearwater gas station robbery that was linked to a carjacking and kidnapping of an 80-year-old St. Petersburg woman in July.

Wanakee Williams, 29, of St. Petersburg was arrested Nov. 8 in Tallahassee on a warrant from the July incident and extradited to the Pinellas County Jail. She has been charged with armed robbery, carjacking and kidnapping.

Clearwater police say Williams and Edward Charles Lee, 20, held up an Exxon gas station at 1285 Cleveland St. just before noon July 17. Each was armed with a black pistol, police say.

Three hours earlier, police say the pair approached Hazel W. Mead in her St. Petersburg driveway, tied her up and forced her into the trunk of her 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis, then drove around until the robbery.

The two later let Mead out of the trunk, untied her and fled, police say. She then drove to a gas station, called for help and was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

The Clearwater and St. Petersburg police departments conducted a joint investigation that resulted in Lee's arrest July 24.