14-year-old suspected of attempted robbery
A 14-year-old male suspect was arrested under the suspicion of threatening to rob two students.
The students were walking near the intersection of USF Holly Drive and Maple Drive on Monday night when the suspect approached them.
The students claimed the suspect demanded the bicycle they were walking with.
The suspect implied he was armed, asking if the students “wanted to get shot,” according to the victims. The suspect did not show a gun, nor was any weapon later found by University Police (UP).
The two students reported shouting at the suspect to leave the area, and the suspect fled on foot. UP officers arrived on the scene a few minutes later.
A person matching the suspect’s description was soon located in a nearby parking lot next to the Argos Center. When police confronted the person, he fled and an officer pursued on foot through the residence halls.
Though the officers lost sight of the suspect, he was eventually caught near the intersection of USF Maple Drive and USF Dogwood Drive.
UP took the suspect into custody, removed him from USF and dropped him off at a juvenile assessment center for processing.
The suspect is charged with attempted robbery and non-violent resistance of arrest. UP is investigating whether the suspect is connected with the theft of a bicycle from a bike rack earlier that day.
UP Assistant Chief Chris Daniel said students should remain aware of their surroundings and call 911 if they feel there is a threat.
To ensure safety, Daniel also said students should comply if ever threatened with a weapon.
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