FORT PIERCE, Fla. — A Riviera Beach police officer has been relieved of his duties after his arrest on burglary and third-degree grand theft auto charges.
The officer, Marvin Williams, 28, of Port St. Lucie, was arrested by St. Lucie County deputies on Sept. 25 and released from his duties the following day, according to the Riviera Beach Police Department. Also arrested on the same charges was his wife, Gloria Floyd-Williams, 28, an attorney with the Justice Administration Commission.
According to the arrest report, Floyd-Williams arrived at ATR Recovery and Towing in Fort Pierce on Sept. 25 at around 11:30 a.m. accompanied by her husband and asked for her vehicle to be released to her possession.
The manager of the business, Garold Allen, stated that he told Floyd-Williams that he had not finished the process required by law to release the vehicle at that time. Allen said Floyd-Williams entered the gate illegally, got into the vehicle and started to drive, hitting an SUV before arriving at the closed gate, damaging both vehicles.
Allen told officials that Marvin Williams opened the gate for his wife to exit the compound and they fled the scene. According to Allen, Williams had no permission to enter the fenced compound and had not signed the proper paperwork or paid any fees that were due.
Floyd-Williams told officials that she possessed her vehicle release from her bank and that the owner refused to release her car. She stated the gate was open and then she took her car and called 911 before doing that. Floyd-Williams also showed police an email from her bank saying the vehicle was to be released.
Allen provided officials with a video footage of the incident.
Marvin Williams is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of Criminal Proceedings and an internal affairs investigation, according to a statement released Tuesday.
Interim Chief of Police Spencer Rozier released the following statement.
"The department was made aware of circumstances that led to the arrest of city Police Officer Marvin Williams in Fort Pierce, Florida on September 25, 2019"
"Consistent with department policy, Williams was relieved of all law enforcement duties effective September 26, 2019. He is on Paid Administrative Leave pending the outcome of Criminal Proceedings and an Internal Affairs Investigation."
This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available.
