Sheriff Recognizes Multiple Agency Collaboration

Partnership Successfully Removes Several Violent Offenders From Our Community

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – I would like to recognize the incredible effort by our North Precinct General Crimes Unit, the GAMEOVER Task Force and the Titusville Police Department.

This is an outstanding example of multiple agencies working around the clock in partnership to successfully remove several violent offenders from our community before someone was injured or killed.

In late March, Deputies were dispatched to a Titusville residence reference to an armed robbery. Upon arrival, Deputies made contact with two victims who advised they made an inquiry to a sale advertisement posted on Craigslist relative to a Vizio flat screen television.

The victims stated the seller wanted to meet at a residence on War Eagle Boulevard, Titusville. Upon arrival, the victims made contact with an unknown male who directed them to another residence, which was later determined to be vacant.

The victims were then ambushed by three armed suspects. The victims fled from the scene and contacted law enforcement.

VICTIM RESPONDED TO AD ON CRAIGSLIST

During the same time period, an unrelated victim responded to an advertisement on Craigslist regarding an iPhone and PlayStation.

After multiple texts, the seller and the victim agreed to meet on Kirby Drive, Titusville. Upon arrival, the victim was confronted by an unknown male who displayed a handgun and demanded the victim’s money. The victim complied and then left the location.

North Precinct GCU Agents then conducted an inquiry reference a Craigslist advertisement, which appeared very similar to the previous robbery related postings. Multiple text messages were exchanged with the suspects who directed the agents, who were acting in an undercover capacity to Kirby Drive, Titusville.

With the help of the GAMEOVER Task Force, contact was made with the suspects as they approached an undercover vehicle. Once the agents identified themselves, the suspects fled on foot and were immediately

The suspects were later identified as a 16-year-old and 15-year-old, both of Mims. Upon arrest, agents located a stolen Kel-tec 9mm handgun and an H & R .22 Caliber revolver on the suspects.

TITUSVILLE POLICE CONDUCT SEARCH WARRANTS

Both suspects were transported to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office North Precinct for interviews. The Titusville Police Department additionally participated in the interview and investigation due to a similar robbery that occurred within their city. Agents then conducted search warrants, seizing evidence to include a .45 caliber handgun, which was used in the robberies.

As a result of this investigation, a third suspect, a 17-year-old, also of Mims, was arrested for Armed Robbery and the Possession of Firearm during the Commission of Felony. He was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center under a No Bond status.

The 16-year-old and 15-year-old were charged with Attempted Robbery, Possession Firearm during the Commission of Felony, Possession of Concealed Firearm and Resisting Arrest. Both were transported to the Juvenile Detention Center under a no Bond status.

Crime Prevention Tips on making purchases on public advertisement sites:

•  Always schedule the transaction to occur during daylight hours
• Select the meeting location for a populated public parking lot
• NEVER conduct the transaction alone. Bring a friend or adult family member
• Always report suspicious activity to law enforcement

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey has been a law enforcement officer for over three decades. Sheriff Ivey is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has a Bachelor’s Degree from Daytona State College in Management and Supervision. Sheriff Ivey’s background in law enforcement is inclusive of Management, Criminal Investigations, Narcotics, Patrol Services, Public Integrity Investigations, and Corrections.

Prior to being elected in 2012, Sheriff Ivey served the citizens of the State of Florida as a Resident Agent in Charge for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. As a member of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Sheriff Ivey developed and created the country’s first ever statewide Task Force on Identity Theft. That same year the Task Force was named one of the top five most innovative programs in the country by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and investigated approximately 44 million dollars in fraud cases. Additionally, as a member of FDLE, Sheriff Ivey created the Child Abduction Response Team (C.A.R.T) that re-defined the way Child Abduction cases are conducted throughout the country today. The program was later selected as the most innovative program in the country by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and is now used as a nationwide model in the response and investigation of child abductions.

Sheriff Ivey has testified before the United States Congress on law enforcement related matters and has extensive experience in the area of Public Integrity Investigations. Sheriff Ivey was honored as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Special Agent of the Year (1996) and was also recognized by the Commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for his Outstanding Contributions to Criminal Justice. In August of 2011 Sheriff Ivey was honored by the National Organization of Victims Advocacy for his work at the national level as an advocate of victim’s rights and protection.

Sheriff Ivey speaks regularly on topics such as Identity Theft, Crime in America, Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Self Defense through Mental Preparedness. Sheriff Ivey firmly believes that Crime Prevention and Education are vital to reduce our crime rate and protect our community.

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