TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Authorities have arrested two suspects in connection to an armed robbery on FSU's campus.
According to a joint press release from the Tallahassee Police Department and the Leon County Sheriff's Office, the armed robbery happened on Tuesday around 1:37 a.m.
While a victim was walking to his car, he told investigators two suspects approached him as he was getting into his car. One of the suspects was armed with a gun and asked for the victim's keys at gunpoint.
Instead of taking the car, investigators say the suspects took the victim's wallet, cellphone, and computer. After the robbery, the victim saw an SUV parked close to him and asked the female driver to call the police.
However, the two suspects hopped in the SUV the female was in and drove away. The victim, fearing the female had been carjacked and abducted, followed the SUV.
Investigators say that as the victim was following the SUV, the suspects shot at him, so the victim stopped. A follow-up investigation revealed that the suspects later used the victim's card at a local store.
Later the same day, authorities found one of the suspects who was revealed to be the same 17-year-old suspect in the shooting at the Bank of America Tuesday afternoon.
The second suspect in the armed robbery at FSU, identified as Jarred Jenkins, was taken into custody at his home by TPD.
Police: Armed suspects robbed victim in FSU parking lot
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Police are searching for two suspects who robbed a victim at gunpoint in a FSU parking lot Tuesday.
The FSU Police Department says the incident happened Tuesday morning around 2:15 a.m.
FSUPD says they responded to 528 West College Avenue to help the Tallahassee Police Department with an armed robbery that happened in an FSU parking lot.
The victim told authorities he was walking toward his car on West College Avenue when he noticed two men in the parking lot. As the victim walked into the lot from the sidewalk, the men pointed a gun at him and stole his cellphone, computer, and wallet.
After the robbery, both suspects got into a car and drove east on College Ave, away from the FSU campus.
The vehicle was described as a silver or beige SUV. The suspects are described as:
- Suspect #1 is a light-skinned black male wearing a black hoodie with curly to bushy hair. He is described as about 6 feet tall with a thin build.
- Suspect #2 is a black male with a camouflage cloth covering his face. He is described as about 6 feet tall with a medium-athletic build.
FSU PD also shared some robbery prevention tips:
Robbery Prevention Tips
- Always pay attention to your surroundings. Avoid becoming absorbed in listening to music, phone applications or other distractions.
- Show confidence. Don’t look like an easy target. Walk at a steady pace, keep your head up and avoid carrying lots of packages — that can make you look defenseless.
- Do not travel on foot alone. If possible, use resources like SAFE Escort or Nole cab.
- Avoid isolated locations. Stay in well-lit, well-populated areas. Criminals most often victimize isolated persons.
- Immediately report suspicious behavior and activities to police. If you see something, say something.
If you are robbed of your personal property
- Remain calm.
- Make personal safety your No. 1 priority. Money and property can be replaced.
- Carefully observe the physical characteristics of the robber. Be a good witness. Note as much detail about the suspect(s) as possible, such as age, race, height, facial hair, speech, clothing, odor, etc.)
- When it is safe, notify police by calling 911 or use a Campus Blue Light telephone.
- FSU Police Dispatch will ask for the location of the robbery, whether anyone is injured, the exact time the robber(s) left and their direction of travel, the kind of weapon used, description of the vehicle, the robber’s description, their clothing, appearance or unique features, money or items taken and other information to assist responding officers.
- Protect the scene of the crime. Be careful not to touch anything to avoid destroying evidence.
- Ask any witnesses to stay until police arrive. If they cannot stay, get their name, address and phone number.
- Write down all information about the suspect(s) immediately, and do not discuss the robbery with others until questioned by police. Comparing notes could cause memories to be skewed.
If you have any information on the armed robbery, call the Tallahassee Police Department at (850) 891-4200 or via Crime Stoppers at (850) 574-TIPS. You can also contact FSU PD at 850) 644-1234.
