TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Polk Teens Arrested In Robbery, Shooting

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 28, 2008

MULBERRY - Two teenagers were arrested Saturday in the armed robbery of two men, one of whom was shot in the thigh, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

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

Gainer, of 2335 Gainer Lane, Plant City, said 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 E. in Mulberry. When they got to the home at 3431 Kelly Court, Gainer got out of his vehicle and confronted the two with a handgun and demanded money, a sheriff's office report 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 said. Again, the gun discharged, firing into the ground.

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

The teenagers were being held Saturday at Polk County Jail. Bail had not been set.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT