12 Days of Fugitives, Day 3: Robert Baldwin

Robert Baldwin

Robert Baldwin, 62, who twice has escaped from prison while serving a life sentence for a string of violent crimes in Pinellas County in 1970, is today's "Fugitive of the Day," one of 12 escapees being targeted by a state law enforcement blitz this holiday season.

A news release states:

On May 13, 1970, Baldwin held a Pinellas County sheriff’s deputy and a Tarpon Springs Police Officer at gunpoint during a traffic stop and fled in one of the marked vehicles. The following day, Baldwin kidnapped an elderly couple in Holiday, Fla., and forced them to drive him to Citrus County where he fled into the Withlacoochee State Forest.

Baldwin was caught and arrested on May 15, 1970, by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. He was sentenced to life in prison for the crimes but escaped in March of 1976 from the Glades Correctional Institution.

He was captured two years later and was serving his life sentence at the Baker Correctional Institution when he escaped again in July of 1988.

“Baldwin is facing life in prison and probably believes he has nothing to lose,” said FDLE Tampa Bay Special Agent in Charge Jim Madden. “He has eluded authorities for way too long and it is time this violent fugitive is put behind bars permanently.”

Baldwin is 5’7” and at the time of his escape was approximately 150 pounds. He has hazel eyes and brown hair and has a v-shaped scar on his chin. He has worked as an auto mechanic, truck driver and plumber. Baldwin has used the aliases "Bob Lawrence Baldwin," "Gene Lewis Miller" and "William Mead." He has a red and green rose tattoo on his left forearm and a tattoo of an eagle on his chest.

Baldwin is featured today on digital billboards across the state. The Florida Outdoor Advertising Association and its network of member companies are broadcasting the faces of the fugitives and the tip line number throughout the campaign period. There are 90 digital billboard locations statewide.

There is an active warrant for Baldwin for escape, a first-degree felony. The warrant is for nationwide extradition. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the toll free tip line at 1-877-FLA-WANTED (1-877-352-9268) or e-mail FLAWanted@fdle.state.fl.us.

Robert Baldwin, in age progression illustration released by Florida Department of Law Enforcement.