Five men in Florida face felony robbery charges after an incident in Winter Haven, where they allegedly robbed a man of a vape pen valued at $30. The Winter Haven Police Department reports that the robbery occurred around 9:36 p.m. on a Sunday.
The victim was returning home from work when a pickup truck approached. Five men exited the vehicle, demanding everything in his pockets. The victim informed them that he only had a cellphone and a vape pen. Police stated one suspect displayed a gun in his waistband to intimidate the victim.
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Authorities identified Damarius Jamel Taylor, charged with robbery and theft, as part of the group involved in the incident. The police reported that after taking the vape pen, the suspects demanded the victim’s cellphone. The victim, however, refused, citing a tracker on the device. The suspects then fled the scene in their vehicle.
Later, officers located the pickup truck outside a residence. Upon arrival, several men matching the suspects’ descriptions fled into the residence. Police managed to detain the suspects when they eventually exited the home.
Among the detained was Javon Prince Jackson-Roby, charged with robbery with a weapon. Investigators also detained Tayshawn Williams and Deshawn Antwon Lampkin in connection with the robbery.
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A 17-year-old girl, who was present during the incident, stated that she accompanied her boyfriend and his friends to several stores before the alleged robbery. Though she did not witness the incident, she heard shouting and later saw one suspect return to the truck stating he had obtained a green vape pen.
Law enforcement also arrested Martice Spears Jr. and Damarius Jamel Taylor, both 19 years old, and charged them with robbery with a weapon and petit theft. Taylor faced an additional charge due to an outstanding warrant from Highlands County.
Authorities also charged two 17-year-old girls with resisting arrest without violence. One allegedly provided a false birth date to officers, and the other reportedly denied officers entry into the residence while the suspects were inside.
For more details on this case, Fox News Digital reached out to the Winter Haven Police Department.