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2 Plant City Teenagers Charged In Mulberry Robbery

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By STEVEN GIRARDI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 27, 2008

MULBERRY Two teenagers were arrested today in the armed robbery of two men outside their home, one of whom was injured by a gunshot, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

Christopher Lamar Gainer, 18, and Jeremiah Marquis Thomas, 18, were charged after being interviewed by detectives at about 12:30 a.m., the sheriff's office said.

Gainer, of 2335 Gainer Lane, Plant City, admitted he had a gun and fired the shot that hit the thigh of one of the robbery victims, the sheriff's office said. He was charged with robbery with a firearm, battery with a deadly weapon, and assault with a deadly weapon.

Thomas, of 2001 Highway 60 East, Plant City, was accused of driving the car that he and Gainer were in, deputies said. He was charged with robbery with a firearm.

Deputies said Gainer and Thomas followed two men home from a store at 6980 State Road 60 east in Mulberry. When they got to the home at 3431 Kelly Court, Gainer exited his vehicle and confronted the two with a handgun in front of the house and demanded money, the sheriff's office said.

One of the victims grabbed a chair, prompting Gainer to fire the gun, striking the man in the thigh, the report said. As the man ran behind the house, the other victim grabbed the chair and hit Gainer with it, deputies reported. Again, the gun discharged, striking the ground.

Thomas, who remained in the vehicle, then honked the horn to summon Gainer. He returned to the vehicle and the two fled, the sheriff's office said.

The suspects turned themselves in, deputies reported.

Gainer was being held today at Polk County Jail with no bail set. Bail information on Thomas wasn't immediately available.

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