DeLand, FL - The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) has arrested and charged a teen suspect in the strong-arm robbery of a DeLand Middle School student walking home from a field trip at DeLand High School.
On Friday, a 16-year-old was arrested and charged with a second-degree felony: robbery without a firearm. The incident occurred on Tuesday near South Blue Lake and East Howry avenues in DeLand. The 15-year-old victim said three black males were walking in the same direction from the school as he was.
According to the victim, as he passed East New York Avenue and onto East Howry Avenue, the males waited until there were no vehicles in sight so they could attack him and steal his wallet. The suspects tried but failed to steal the victim’s cell phone. They pushed the victim to the ground, hit him in the head, and struck his torso. The suspects stole $40 and left the rest of the wallet before they fled the scene in different directions.
The victim was not seriously injured and was not able to get a very good look at his attackers. The school’s resource deputy and the VCSO’s director of juvenile services were able to develop a suspect and create a line-up to show the victim. The victim was shown the line-up and was able to identify the 16-year-old suspect as one of his attackers. The 16-year-old was found and taken into custody.
The VCSO asks that you call 386-860-7030 if you have any information about the incident. If you wish to remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward, submit a tip to Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 888-277-TIPS or on the website/app available at westopcrime.com. The VCSO will continue to investigate this case and more information will be released as soon as it becomes available.
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2018.
