CRIME

Chase, crash, 3 arrests follow Steak 'n Shake robbery

Austin L. Miller
austin.miller@ocala.com

Ocala police officers arrested three teenage boys in connection with a robbery of a restaurant early Wednesday morning.

They were captured after a police chase and a crash involving a stolen car.

Police officials said at 12:12 a.m., they were told about a holdup at the Steak ‘n Shake at 3800 SW College Road in Ocala.

Police said two robbers, ages 17 and 16, armed with handguns and wearing bandanas over their faces, entered the restaurant, went behind the counter and demanded money out of the cash register. The third juvenile — another 16-year-old — stayed in the car.

The two robbers in the Steak 'n Shake threatened to shoot and hit the manager if they did not get any money, according to OPD. The manager opened the register, and the robbers removed an undetermined about of cash.

Then the robbers fled.

Police got a description of the getaway vehicle — a silver Toyota Prius.

Officers searched for the car, and Lt. Robert Douglas, a watch commander, spotted the vehicle at Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and State Road 200, and pursued it.

During the chase, which took several twists and turns, the teen driver lost control of the car. It struck a tree and rolled over on its roof in a vacant lot at Southwest Fifth Street and 15th Avenue.

The teens got out of the car and officers caught them. Police recovered a black backpack and a black-and-pink handgun.

The two suspected of entering the restaurant were taken by ambulance to Munroe Regional Medical Center for evaluation. The third teen was taken to the Ocala Police Department for questioning.

None had serious injuries, police officials said. The 17-year-old is from Ocala, and one of the 16-year-olds is from Daytona Beach. As for the other teen, his address was unknown.

The Star-Banner is not naming the boys at this time because of their ages.

Detective Shawn Minucci went to the restaurant, where he viewed surveillance video and interviewed the manager. While reviewing the video, Minucci learned that the car had crashed and officers had recovered a bag, handguns and some of the cash.

The suspects' clothing also matched the clothes worn by the robbers.

Minucci went to the hospital to interview the juveniles, but they refused to talk to him. The third juvenile also declined to talk.

The car had been reported stolen in Orlando on July 9.

All three teens were charged with robbery with a firearm. The 16-year-old driver was also charged with auto theft.

Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118, austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb.