Five Men Charged with Robbery in Florida Over a $30 Vape Pen

Five men in Florida have been charged with felony robbery for allegedly mugging a man and stealing a vape pen worth about $30. The incident occurred at 9:36 p.m. on a Sunday in Winter Haven, as reported by the Winter Haven Police Department.

Police stated that the victim was headed home after work when a pickup truck approached him. Five men exited the vehicle, demanding everything in his pockets. The victim explained that he only had a cellphone and a vape pen. One suspect revealed a gun tucked into his waistband, demanding the items.

According to investigators, Damarius Jamel Taylor is among those facing robbery and theft charges after being linked to the crime.

Besides the vape pen, the suspects demanded the victim’s cellphone. The victim refused, claiming it had a tracker on it. The suspects then returned to their vehicle and drove off.

Officers later found the pickup truck outside a residence. Inside, they identified several men matching the suspects’ descriptions. When approached, the men fled into the house, initially refusing to come out. Authorities eventually detained them.

Tayshawn Williams was also apprehended as a suspect in the armed robbery.

The investigation included an interview with a 17-year-old girl who was in the truck at the time. She said she was with her boyfriend and his friends visiting various stores before stopping near a cemetery. Although she didn’t witness the robbery, she heard yelling and later saw a man return holding the vape pen, saying he had secured it.

Deshawn Antwon Lampkin was another suspect arrested in connection with the robbery.

The individuals charged with robbery were Damarius Jamel Taylor, 18; Tayshawn Williams, 18; Javon Prince Jackson-Roby, 19; Martice Spears Jr., 19; and Deshawn Antwon Lampkin, 19. All face charges of robbery with a weapon and petit theft.

Taylor also faced an outstanding warrant from Highlands County.

Two 17-year-old girls were charged with resisting arrest without violence, as one allegedly provided false information, and the other allegedly obstructed officers.

Fox News Digital has contacted the Winter Haven Police Department for further commentary.

Note from the writer, Brittany Miller, a Fox News Digital breaking news reporter and Syracuse University alumna.