March 30, 2009
Gary Davidson
Public Information Officer

DEPUTIES DETAIN 7 SUSPECTS IN ATTACK ON 61-YEAR-OLD DELTONAN

A group of teenagers accosted a man at his home in Deltona Monday afternoon, stealing jewelry and guns from the 61-year-old victim. However, the suspects didn’t get far in their getaway. Less than 15 minutes after the robbery was reported, responding Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies had detained a total of seven suspects. Deputies are still sorting out the events, identifying the suspects by name and determining what criminal charges will be filed.

The incident occurred at a home on Whitewood Drive. A neighbor reported the robbery to the Sheriff’s Office at 3:29 p.m. According to the victim, several teens came to his home saying that they had some jewelry that needed repair. Investigators are still trying to determine how the suspects knew to come to the house, but a neighbor said the victim has a jewelry business. The victim told the teens to go with him to his shed. Once there, the suspects physically overwhelmed the victim, stole jewelry and at least one gun and then scattered from the scene. There was no one else at the home at the time of the attack.

Responding deputies started arriving at 3:33 p.m., and a few minutes later spotted the vehicle in the vicinity of Cloverleaf Boulevard and Anderson Drive. The vehicle sped away from deputies and dropped off two passengers along a side street before being stopped on Cloverleaf Boulevard. By 3:42 p.m., deputies had the five passengers detained. Jewelry and a .38 caliber revolver believed to be stolen from the victim were recovered from the vehicle. About 10 minutes later, deputies spotted the last two suspects walking down the street.

Sheriff’s investigators are still trying to determine if a second gun was also stolen. The victim sustained some minor bruises and scrapes in the attack that were treated by paramedics with the Deltona Fire Department and EVAC ambulance. Additional information regarding the identity of the suspects and the charges will be released when it becomes available.