Five Florida Men Charged After Alleged Robbery of a Vape Pen

Five men in Florida face felony robbery charges after allegedly robbing a man of a $30 vape pen. The incident took place at around 9:36 p.m. on a Sunday in Winter Haven, according to the Winter Haven Police Department.

The victim was walking home from work when a pickup truck approached, and five men jumped out. They reportedly demanded everything in his pockets. When the victim informed them he only had a cellphone and a vape pen, one suspect allegedly showed a gun in his waistband and demanded the items.

“FLORIDA POLICE ARREST 3 TEENAGERS ACCUSED OF COMMITTING ARMED ROBBERY AT A MEMORIAL SERVICE,” reported the Winter Haven Public Safety Department.

Damarius Jamel Taylor, identified by investigators, along with four others, allegedly participated in the robbery, taking possession of the vape pen. When they asked for the victim’s cellphone, he refused, citing a tracker installed on it. The suspects then returned to their truck and left the scene.

Police located the truck later at a residence and identified several men matching the suspects’ descriptions. Upon seeing officers, the men ran into the house and initially refused to exit. Eventually, they surrendered, and officers took them into custody.

“STUDENT CHARGED AFTER 5 STABBED AT HIGH SCHOOL IN VIOLENT ALTERCATION OVER VAPE PEN,” noted the Winter Haven Public Safety Department.

Authorities interviewed a 17-year-old girl who was present in the truck during the incident. She stated that she accompanied her boyfriend and friends to several stores before they stopped near a cemetery. Although she did not witness the robbery outside the truck, she heard yelling and saw one man return with the vape pen, declaring he had “got the vape.”

Those arrested include Damarius Jamel Taylor, 18, of Avon Park; Tayshawn Williams, 18, of Auburndale; Javon Prince Jackson-Roby, 19, of Avon Park; Martice Spears Jr., 19; and Deshawn Antwon Lampkin, 19. Each faces charges of robbery with a weapon and petit theft.

Taylor also faces an outstanding warrant from Highlands County. Additionally, two 17-year-old girls were charged with resisting arrest without violence. One reportedly gave a false birth date, while the other blocked officers from entering the residence after the suspects ran inside.