WINTER HAVEN, FL – Seven teenagers were arrested following an armed robbery Sunday night in Winter Haven after investigators say a man walking home from work was robbed at gunpoint. Five teen males are facing felony robbery charges, while two 17-year-old females were charged with resisting arrest without violence in connection with the investigation, according to the Winter Haven Police Department.
Authorities say the incident occurred at approximately 9:36 p.m. on June 21 near Avenue K SW and 6th Street SW. The victim was walking home from work when a silver Nissan Frontier pickup truck pulled alongside him and five males jumped out. The group demanded everything in the victim’s pockets. When the victim stated he only had a cell phone and a vape pen, one of the suspects reportedly displayed a firearm tucked into his waistband and demanded both items. The suspects searched the victim’s pockets and took the vape pen but fled after the victim refused to hand over his phone, according to WHPD.
Officers later located the truck at a residence on 7th Street SW. Several males matching the suspects’ descriptions ran inside the home when they saw police. After a brief standoff, all five exited the residence and were detained.
A passenger told investigators that one of the suspects returned to the truck holding a green vape pen and stated that he had “got the vape.”
Arrested:
• Damarius Jamel Taylor, 18, of Avon Park — Robbery with a Weapon, Warrant Arrest (Highlands County), and Petit Theft
• Tayshawn Williams, 18, of Auburndale — Robbery with a Weapon and Petit Theft
• Javon Prince Jackson-Roby, 19, of Avon Park — Robbery with a Weapon and Petit Theft
• Martice Spears Jr., 19 — Robbery with a Weapon and Petit Theft
• Deshawn Antwon Lampkin, of Winter Haven — Robbery with a Weapon and Petit Theft
Two 17-year-old females were also arrested on misdemeanor charges of Resisting Arrest Without Violence during the investigation. Nothing further at this time.
SOURCE: WINTER HAVEN POLICE DEPARTMENT
