In a startling turn of events in Winter Haven, Florida, five men now face serious felony robbery charges after allegedly holding up a man for his vape pen and cellphone. The incident reportedly took place late Sunday night, just as the victim was making his way home from work.
According to the Winter Haven Police Department, the robbery occurred around 9:36 p.m. when the unsuspecting victim encountered a pickup truck that pulled over beside him. The five suspects then allegedly jumped out, demanding he hand over any valuables he had on him.
The victim informed the group that he possessed only a cellphone and a vape pen, items of relatively low value—roughly $30 for the vape pen. Despite this, one suspect took rather drastic measures to enforce their demands. According to police, he lifted his shirt to reveal a concealed gun, intensifying the threat to the victim.
This allegedly brazen act of intimidation underscores the need for vigilance and safety, even in everyday commutes. As the case unfolds, the severity of the charges against the alleged perpetrators highlights the serious nature of using threats with firearms in robberies, regardless of the value of the stolen goods.
One of the suspects allegedly lifted his shirt to reveal a gun tucked into his waistband and demanded the items.
Damarius Jamel Taylor faces robbery and theft charges after investigators linked him to a group accused of holding up a man walking home from work in Winter Haven, Florida, police said. (Winter Haven Public Safety Department)
Police said the men searched the victim’s pockets and took the vape pen. They then demanded his cellphone, but the victim refused to hand it over and told them it had a tracker on it.
The suspects then got back into the truck and drove away.
Officers later located the pickup outside a residence, where they spotted several men matching the suspects’ descriptions, according to police.
Javon Prince Jackson-Roby was charged with robbery with a weapon after police said he and four other men stole a vape pen worth about $30 from a man walking home from work in Winter Haven, Florida. (Winter Haven Public Safety Department)
When the men saw officers, they ran into the residence and initially refused to come out, police said. Authorities eventually detained the suspects after they exited the home.
Tayshawn Williams was taken into custody after Winter Haven police identified five suspects accused of confronting a man on his walk home from work and stealing his vape pen. (Winter Haven Public Safety Department)
Investigators also interviewed a 17-year-old girl who was riding in the truck during the incident. According to police, she said she had accompanied her boyfriend and his friends to several stores before they stopped near a cemetery in the area.
The teen told investigators she did not witness what happened outside the truck but heard yelling.
She later saw one of the men return to the vehicle holding a green vape pen and say he had “got the vape,” according to police.
Deshawn Antwon Lampkin was among five suspects arrested after investigators said a group confronted a man walking home from work and took his vape pen during an armed robbery in Winter Haven, Florida. (Winter Haven Public Safety Department)
Authorities arrested Damarius Jamel Taylor, 18, of Avon Park; Tayshawn Williams, 18, of Auburndale; Javon Prince Jackson-Roby, 19, of Avon Park; Martice Spears Jr., 19; and Deshawn Antwon Lampkin, 19.
All five men were charged with robbery with a weapon and petit theft, police said.
Taylor was also arrested on an outstanding warrant from Highlands County.
Martice Spears Jr. was among five men charged after a Winter Haven robbery in which police said a victim was threatened with a gun and robbed of a vape pen. (Winter Haven Public Safety Department)
Two 17-year-old girls were also charged with resisting arrest without violence in connection with the investigation, according to police.
One allegedly provided officers with a false birth date, while the other allegedly refused to allow officers into the residence after the suspects ran inside.
News Media reached out to the Winter Haven Police Department for further comment.