TALLAHASSEE, Florida (February 5, 2020) – According to an online news report from WCTV.TV, three men were arrested after they robbed a man at gunpoint in the parking lot of the Briarwood Manor Apartments. The news report states that the three men responded to an online classified ad offering a gaming console for sale. When the victim arrived with the game console, three men approached him, held a gun on him, and robbed him. The victim then left the scene and reported the incident to a school resource deputy parked at the Oak Ridge Elementary School.

Sheriff´s deputies searched the local area and found three males who mated the description proved by the victim. As the sheriff´s deputies attempted to make contact with the three men, all three of the suspects fled the area. A K9 deputy and his partner were able to track down the suspects to a house in the approximate area. Two of the three suspects were minors, and the third was a 20-year-old male. All three suspects were apprehended by law enforcement. The adult was booked and was placed in the Leon County Detention Facility. The two minor male suspects were processed and placed in the Juvenile Assessment Center.

All three of the suspects have been charged with resisting arrest without violence and armed robbery. According to WCTV, the minor suspects could be charged and tried as adults in this case. At this time, there has been no determination as to whether the two boys will be charged as minors or adults for this crime.

LCSO says its administration lobby is a safe spot to meet people for transactions related to online ads. In addition to the criminal report, the Leon County Sheriff´s Office reminded individuals selling items online that the Leon County Sheriff´s Office permits people to meet in its administrative lobby to conduct online classified ad sales transactions.

Armed Robbery Charges in Florida

According to Florida Statute 812.13, the crime of robbery is defined as taking property or money away from another individual by way of force, assault, or by putting fear into that individual. It is a crime whether the property is temporarily or permanently taken from another. If the offender carries or uses a deadly weapon or firearm during the robbery, the crime becomes a first-degree felony in the State of Florida. A first-degree felony, if found guilty, carries the following punishments:

• A prison sentence of up to life in prison.

• A probation sentence of up to life on probation.

• A fine of up to $15,000.

Florida´s 10/20/Life Firearm Enhancement

According to Florida Statute 775.087(2)(a)(1), if an individual and their accomplices are found guilty of possessing a firearm while committing a robbery, each will be sentenced in accordance with Florida’s 10/20/Life statute. Florida´s 10/20/Life statute levies penalties based on how a gun was used in the robbery. If convicted of using a gun during a robbery, an individual may receive one of these minimum-mandatory prison sentences:

  1. If in possession of a firearm during a robbery, the punishment would be 10-years or more in prison.
  2. If the firearm was discharged during the robbery, the sentence would be 20-years or more in prison.
  3. If a victim of the robbery is injured or killed by a firearm during the robbery, the penalty would be 25-years or more in prison.

It is also important to note that robbery charges and enhanced robbery charges can be filed against an individual regardless of whether or not the robbery was successful. In Florida, attempting to commit robbery or fleeing the scene after an attempted robbery was made or successfully committing a robbery with a firearm are all considered armed robbery.