Florida men charged with robbery for supposedly taking a cheap vape pen

Robbery Charges Filed Against Five Florida Men

Five men in Florida are facing serious robbery charges after they allegedly confronted a man returning home from work and took a vape pen valued at around $30.

According to the Winter Haven Police Department, the incident occurred on Sunday evening around 9:36 p.m. Investigators reported that the victim was approached by a pickup truck, from which five men exited and demanded the contents of his pockets.

The victim informed the assailants that he only had a cell phone and a vape pen. At that point, one suspect reportedly lifted his shirt to show a gun tucked into his waistband, further intimidating the victim.

After searching the victim’s pockets, the suspects took the vape pen. When the victim requested his cell phone back, the group refused, stating that it had a tracking device.

The men then returned to their truck and sped away.

Officers located the pickup truck parked outside a residence shortly after. They found several individuals who matched the descriptions given by the victim. Upon seeing the police, the suspects rushed into the house and initially resisted exiting the home. Eventually, they were taken into custody once they left the premises.

During the investigation, authorities also spoke with a 17-year-old girl who was in the truck at the time. She claimed not to have witnessed the events outside but heard some shouting. She mentioned seeing one of the men come back to the car with a green vape pen, proclaiming, “I got the e-cig.”

The arrested suspects include 18-year-old Damarius Jamel Taylor of Avon Park, 18-year-old Tayshaun Williams of Auburndale, 19-year-old Javon Prince Jackson Roby of Avon Park, 19-year-old Martis Spears Jr., and 19-year-old Deshaun Antwon Lumpkin. All five face charges of robbery with a deadly weapon and petty theft. Notably, Taylor was taken into custody also due to an existing warrant from Highlands County.

Additionally, two 17-year-old girls were charged with resisting arrest without violence during the investigation. Reports indicated that one girl gave police a false date of birth, while the other reportedly barred officers from entering the house after the suspects fled inside.