Five Suspects Arrested Following Armed Robbery in Winter Haven

Five young men in Florida are facing serious felony charges after authorities say they robbed a man at gunpoint and stole a vape pen worth approximately $30. The incident occurred Sunday night in Winter Haven and has drawn widespread attention due to the relatively small value of the stolen item compared to the severity of the alleged crime.

According to the Winter Haven Police Department, the victim was walking home from work around 9:36 p.m. when a pickup truck pulled up beside him. Investigators say five men exited the vehicle and demanded everything in his pockets.

Victim Allegedly Threatened at Gunpoint

Police say the victim informed the group that he only had a cellphone and a vape pen. Authorities allege that one of the suspects lifted his shirt to reveal a firearm tucked into his waistband before demanding the items.

Investigators said the suspects searched the victim’s pockets and took the vape pen. They then demanded his cellphone, but the victim refused to hand it over, reportedly telling them the device had a tracking feature. The group allegedly left the scene shortly afterward.

Police Locate Suspects After Investigation

Officers later tracked down the pickup truck outside a residence in Winter Haven. According to authorities, several individuals matching the suspects’ descriptions were seen outside the home before running inside when they noticed police.

Law enforcement surrounded the residence, and after a brief standoff, the suspects eventually exited and were taken into custody. Investigators also interviewed a teenage passenger who was inside the truck during the incident. She reportedly told officers that she heard yelling and later saw one of the men return with a green vape pen.

Suspects Face Multiple Charges

Authorities identified the suspects as Damarius Jamel Taylor, 18, Tayshawn Williams, 18, Javon Prince Jackson-Roby, 19, Martice Spears Jr., 19, and Deshawn Antwon Lampkin, 19. All five have been charged with robbery with a weapon and petit theft. Taylor was also arrested on an outstanding warrant from another county.

In addition, two 17-year-old girls were charged with resisting arrest without violence during the investigation. Police allege that one provided false information to officers, while the other initially refused to allow law enforcement into the residence where the suspects were hiding.

Community Reaction

The case has sparked discussion online, with many expressing disbelief that a robbery involving a firearm allegedly occurred over an item worth only about $30. Authorities, however, emphasized that armed robbery is a serious felony offense regardless of the value of the property taken.

The investigation remains ongoing, and all suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.