Bartow, Fla. (970 WFLA)-Polk County Sheriff's Office detectives have arrested 14-year-old Jonathan Hall of Lakeland and 14-year-old Zachary Tillery of Lakeland for an armed robbery that occurred Tuesday at approximately 11:00 a.m. on Jungle Street in Lakeland.
Through interviews with victims, suspects, and witnesses and the collection of evidence, detectives determined that Hall went to Tillery's residence Tuesday morning and stole two handguns,from Tillery's father and told Tillery he wanted to "hit a lick" or rob someone.
They drove Tillery's father's 2006 gray Honda to an address on Jungle Street, picked up 22-year-old Isaac Rose of Lakeland, and then Hall pointed a handgun at him and demanded money and drugs or he would kill him.
Rose struggled with Hall and during the struggle the gun fired at least once, shooting into the car seat. Rose told deputies that at some point Tillery also pulled out a handgun and Rose grabbed at it then jumped out of the Honda to escape.
Sometime during the Robbery, the Honda reversed into a tree, causing extensive damage. Deputies later found the Honda on Timber Path on Lakeland.
Tillery was located nearby and Hall was located a short time later. Hall was arrested and booked into the Juvenile Assessment Center and charged with Robbery w/firearm, armed burglary of a dwelling, possession of firearm by delinquent, grand theft of firearm, violation of probation (all felonies). He has previous criminal history of drug and drug paraphernalia possession and three probation violations.
Tillery was arrested and booked into the Juvenile Assessment Center and charged with Robbery w/firearm, possession of firearm by delinquent, grand theft of firearm, and violation of probation (all felonies). Tillery's previous charges include battery, grand theft (2), burglary (2), criminal mischief, petty theft, and motor vehicle theft.
Isaac Rose (the victim) has a lengthy criminal history including 11 felonies, 21 misdemeanors, and one state prison incarceration.
"These juveniles are already known to the criminal justice system & they desperately need to be held accountable for their criminal exploits before they end up killing someone. Let's hope this time they are kept separate from the community, punished, and provided tough, no-nonsense & non-coddling rehabilitation that will help them turn their lives around. Hopefully, it's not too late." Grady Judd, Sheriff.
Copy and Photo Credit: Polk County Sheriff's Office