Monday, May 17, 2010

Deputies Arrest 2 Teens In Armed Robbery

Two teenagers were booked into the Collier County jail Monday after they robbed a North Naples convenience store at gunpoint and then led deputies on a pursuit in a stolen vehicle.

Arturo Gonzalez, 17, 26513 Nottingham Lane, Bonita Springs, and Fabian Ledesma, 16, 26805 Our Court, Bonita Springs, were each charged with armed robbery with a firearm, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding, petty theft, resisting arrest without violence, grand theft auto, and grand theft.

Arrest reports gave this account:

Ledesma, wearing all black clothing and a black cloth over his face, entered the 7-Eleven store at 5320 U.S. 41 N. around 5:40 a.m. He displayed a gun and demanded money from the clerk.

The clerk handed over money to Ledesma, who then left the store and entered the passenger side of a waiting blue Chevrolet Blazer driven by Gonzalez.

A deputy in a marked patrol vehicle spotted the Blazer traveling southbound on U.S. 41 North at Mooring Line Drive going 58 mph in a 45 mph zone. The deputy activated his vehicle’s lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the Blazer, which continued south on U.S. 41 North into the City of Naples.

Near the intersection of 14th Avenue North and 10th Street North, the deputy used law enforcement tactics to force the Blazer to a stop. Gonzalez and Ledesma ran out of the vehicle in separate directions.

Through the use of K-9 and air units, and after a brief foot pursuit, Gonzalez and Ledesma were located and arrested.

Ledesma was additionally charged with wearing a mask during the commission of a felony. Investigators said Ledesma matched the description of the robber depicted in store video surveillance footage of the robbery, reports said.

Investigators said the Blazer had been reported stolen out of Collier County on May 14.

The robbery occurred 45 minutes after a similar robbery at a 7-Eleven store in Lee County. Investigators with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office are working with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to determine if both robberies are connected.

A CCSO investigation continues.



Fabian Ledesma


Arturo Gonzalez